A SCHEME to prevent flooding in Dinas Powys has prompted community councillors to accuse the Vale council of ‘little interest’ in residents’ wellbeing.

Improvements to a river culvert under the main Dinas Powys to Barry road has been cited as a potential factor in preventing flood risks in Dinas Powys.

Local community councillors have urged the Vale council to work with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to determine if the culvert should be altered.

Residents of Dinas Powys had previously turned out in their hundreds to protest another potential solution - the building of a dam in ancient woodland.

Plaid Cymru councillor Richard Grigg said: “Despite initially writing to the Vale in August, we have not had any substantial reply.

“We are appalled that the council has shown so little interest in the wellbeing of the residents. People will want to know if there are any options to reduce the threat of flooding, for example if the culvert was enlarged.

“We fear at the moment it acts as a choke to the river. Is the culvert considered by the council to be an impediment to the flow of water?

“Currently NRW is considering building a £4m project in an area of beautiful countryside. We want to know if all options are being properly investigated.”

A Vale council spokesman said: “Responsibility for developing options for flood defence schemes for Dinas Powys rests with Natural Resources Wales, not the Vale of Glamorgan Council. This is not an option that they have so far raised with us, however, we are more than happy to discuss this and any other proposals with them.”

Explaining the choice behind the culvert, Plaid councillor Chris Franks said: “The culvert serving Mill Stream and River Cadoxton is considered a potential impediment to the effective flow of the stream when in flood.

“It forms a right angle to the stream when coming from the Dinas Powys direction. Then it forms a second right angle when the water subsequently flows in the direction of Barry.”

Tim England, operations manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: “We are currently considering a number of options to reduce the flood risk in Dinas Powys: these include flood defences through Dinas Powys, upstream flood storage area and natural flood management.

“We talked through these options with residents at recent community council meetings.

“We have listened to their views and also those raised through our previous consultation over the last few years.

“We are now using this information to inform the best way forward.

“The next step is for us to produce an outline business case with a recommended preferred option, which we will share with the local community to give them a chance to provide their feedback.”