Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report January 2010 Managing Flood Risk We Are Environment Agency Wales

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Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Summary Report January 2010 managing flood risk We are Environment Agency Wales. It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. Environment Agency Wales. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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Environment Agency Wales Cambria House 29 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 0TP Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Front cover image: River Wye © iStockphoto.com/kodachrome25 Introduction

I am pleased to introduce our summary of the Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP). This CFMP gives an overview of the flood risk in the Wye and Usk catchments and sets out our preferred plan for sustainable flood risk management over the next 50 to 100 years.

The Wye and Usk CFMP is one of 77 CFMPs for England middle and upper parts of the catchments, floodplains and Wales. Through the CFMPs, we have assessed are wide and play an important part in attenuating inland flood risk across all of England and Wales for flows. Several urban areas are susceptible to relatively the first time. The CFMP considers all types of inland frequent flooding from the rivers and have been flooding, from rivers, groundwater, surface water provided with formal flood defences over the years, and tidal flooding, but not flooding directly from the for example, Brecon, Usk Town and Monmouth. Many sea (coastal flooding), which is covered by Shoreline smaller urban areas remain undefended. Management Plans (SMPs). Our coverage of surface We have worked with others to produce this CFMP, and groundwater is however limited due to a lack of including: local authorities, water companies, available information. environmental groups, land owners and land The role of CFMPs is to establish flood risk management managers. Whilst there is broad support for this plan, policies which will deliver sustainable flood risk local authorities have raised concerns about limited management for the long term. This is essential if we resources, prioritisation and the potential impact on are to make the right investment decisions for the current development and regeneration proposals. Also, future and to help prepare ourselves effectively for land managers have raised concerns about how flood the impact of climate change. We will use CFMPs to risk is managed in rural areas. We cannot reduce flood help us target our limited resources where the risks risk on our own. We will therefore work closely with all are greatest. our partners to improve the co-ordination of flood risk activities and agree the most effective way to manage This CFMP identifies flood risk management policies to flood risk in the future. assist all key decision makers in the catchment. It was produced through a wide consultation and appraisal This is a summary of the main CFMP document. If you process. However it is only the first step towards an need to see the full document, an electronic version integrated approach to Flood Risk Management. As we may be obtained by emailing enquiries@environment- all work together to achieve our objectives, we must agency.gov.uk monitor and listen to each others progress, discuss what has been achieved and consider where we may need to review parts of the CFMP.

Flooding tends to occur as a natural process through most of the catchment with floodplains generally being Chris Mills well connected to their river channels. Within the Director Wales

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 1 Contents

The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk 3

Catchment overview 4

Current and future flood risk 6

Future direction for flood risk management 12

Sub-areas 1 Cwmbran and M4 Corridor 14 2 The Levels 15 3 Lower Usk 16 4 Lower Wye 17 5 Hereford 18 6 Upper Wye and Usk 19 7 Newport 20

Map of CFMP policies 22

Image: Ross-on-Wye © iStockphoto.com/fotoVoyagers

2 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan The purpose of a CFMP in managing flood risk

CFMPs help us to understand the • internal drainage boards, water CFMPs aim to promote more scale and extent of flooding now companies and other utility sustainable approaches to and in the future, and set policies companies to help plan their managing flood risk. for managing flood risk within the activities in the wider context catchments. CFMPs should be used of the catchment; The policies identified in the to inform planning and decision CFMP will be delivered through making by key partners such as: • transportation planners; who a combination of different can use the plan to inform approaches. • the Environment Agency, who will their activities; use the plan to guide decisions Together with our partners, we on investment in further plans, • land owners, farmers and land will implement these approaches projects and actions; managers who manage and operate through a range of delivery plans, land for agriculture, conservation projects and actions. • local authorities, who can use and amenity purposes; the plan to inform spatial The relationship between the CFMP, planning activities and • the public and businesses to delivery plans, strategies, projects emergency planning; enhance their understanding and actions is shown in Figure 1. of flood risk and how it will be managed.

Figure 1. The relationship between CFMPs, delivery plans, projects and actions

Policy planning • CFMPs and SMPs. • Action plans define requirement for delivery plans, projects and actions.

Policy delivery plans (see note) Projects and actions • Influence spatial planning to reduce risk • Make sure our spending delivers the best and restore floodplains. possible outcomes. • Prepare for and manage floods • Focus on risk based targets, for example (including local Flood Warning plans). numbers of households at risk. • Managing assets. • Water level management plans.

• Land management and habitat creation. Note: Some plans may not be led by us – we may identify the need and encourage their development.

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 3 Catchment overview

The Wye and Usk CFMP covers an tributaries the Lugg (including the The predominant land use in area of approximately 5,700 km2 Frome and Arrow), Monnow, Irfon the catchment is agriculture, and includes approximately 240,000 and Ithon; and the Usk and its main although there is some industry properties. Map 1 shows the location tributaries the Lwyd, Olway Brook based around the major towns. and extent of the CFMP area. and Grwyne. There is local pressure for further urban growth, particularly around The area is largely rural, but also Upland parts of the catchments are Hereford. contains some dispersed urban steep, mountainous, impermeable centres. Around three per cent and fast responding. The profile The catchments are rich in of the area is urbanised with the flattens out downstream to become biodiversity, both in terms five main areas being Hereford, wide lowland floodplains with of species and habitats. Cwmbran, Monmouth, Newport gentler meanders. On the Wye, Approximately 16 per cent of and Chepstow. Smaller towns natural water storage provided by the area is designated for its in the catchment include Builth the Letton Lakes attenuates river nature conservation value and Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon, flows and during flood events includes 18 sites of international Abergavenny and Leominster. reduces the peak flow downstream. importance and more than 300 Both the Rivers Wye and Usk, and sites of national importance. Some There are 1,008 kilometres of main a number of smaller coastal rivers sites have multiple designations. rivers from ten different rivers. drain into the Severn Estuary. This includes the Wye and its main

“The River Wye makes up almost half of all main river in the CFMP and as such is one of Britain’s major rivers.”

River Wye at Boughrood

4 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Map 1. Location and extent of the Wye and Usk CFMP area

km 0 2.5 5 10 15

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 5 Current and future flood risk

Overview of the current flood risk What is at risk?

Flood risk is the combination of The sources of flood risk are: CFMPs assess how flood risk is two components; the likelihood likely to change in the next 100 years. • river flooding in the upper (or probability) of a particular They do this at a strategic level and catchments of the Wye and flood event occurring and the not at a detailed, local level. Usk tends to occur rapidly due consequence (or impact) that to the characteristic narrow, We used computer models to the flood event would have if steep valleys. Lower down the simulate river flows and produce it occurred. catchments, the areas of indicative numbers of properties, The probability of a flood event flooding are more extensive; infrastructure and environmental is the likelihood of a flood of that features at risk. These models take • tidally influenced river flooding size occurring within a one year in to account the benefit of current occurs through Newport on the period. It is described as an annual flood defences. Where applicable, River Usk, and in Chepstow exceedance probability (AEP) tidal influences on river flows have and Tintern on the River Wye; and is expressed as a percentage. also been modelled. Where models For example, a 1% AEP flood • surface water flooding is are not available we have based our event has a one per cent chance generally of low consequence flood risk estimates on our Flood or 0.01 probability of occurring with limited disruption to Maps, which do not include flood in any one year. some transport routes and defences. Numbers produced are agricultural land. In the past, sufficient for the purposes of the Unless otherwise stated, numbers surface water flooding is CFMP only. in this report are based on the 1% known to have occurred in AEP river flood event. More extreme There are currently approximately Hereford, Monmouth, Cwmbran, events can occur at any time. The 8,900 properties across the CFMP Leominster and Newport; likelihood of an extreme event at risk from flooding. occurring is small, although the • sewer flooding is fairly There are four internationally consequences are potentially very widespread in the CFMP. The designated environmental sites serious, particularly where defences following locations in particular which lie fully or partially within could be overtopped. have been affected by sewage the 1% AEP flood outline. These flooding in the past; Ross-on- In December 1979 heavy rainfall include the River Wye and the River Wye, Crossgate, Llangammarch resulted in flooding to several Usk special areas of conservation Wells, Llanddewi, and thousand properties, mostly in and the Severn Estuary special Llandrindod Wells; South Wales, including the River protection area and Ramsar site. Wye catchment. River levels at • groundwater flooding is not A total of 15 per cent of all sites of Brecon, Usk and Builth Wells, as considered to be a significant special scientific interest and 47 well as elsewhere in the South Wales source of flooding. Groundwater scheduled monuments are also at valleys, reached levels exceeding levels rise and fall so slowly that risk. Depending on the nature of the defence levels. In April 1998, heavy they do not respond quickly to wet environmental feature, flooding may rainfall caused river levels to rise weather. There is one recorded have a negative or positive impact. quickly, flooding more than 170 instance of groundwater flooding For example, flooding may create properties in the CFMP area. in Brecon, but this event was or enhance a habitat in some areas isolated and on a small scale. e.g. a new flood storage wetland, or have the potential to cause physical

6 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan damage to the historic environment Table 1. Key locations currently at risk in a 1% AEP flood event e.g. listed buildings and scheduled monuments. Number of properties at risk Locations

> 1,000 Newport Where is the risk? 500 to 1,000 None To assess flood risk at a strategic level we have identified a number 100 to 500 Cwmbran, Caerleon, Leominster of key locations where we have carried out a more detailed analysis 50 to 100 Eardisland, Monmouth, Ponthir, of flood risk. These are presented Tintern, Usk in Table 1 and Map 2. This is not an exhaustive list of locations. Flood 25 to 50 Abergavenny, Brecon, Builth Wells, risk in all other areas has been Crickhowell, Glasbury, Hay-on-Wye considered in the development of the CFMP.

The greatest risks to property and Table 2. Infrastructure currently at risk in a 1% AEP flood event infrastructure for the 1% AEP flood 3 emergency services event are located in the Lower Usk and Lower Wye catchments and 19 sewage treatment works include the urban areas of Newport, Cwmbran and Caerleon. Parts of 5 schools Hay-on-Wye, Brecon, Caerleon and Usk are classed as the most 12 kilometres of main road socially vulnerable to flooding in the 1% AEP flood event therefore the 10 kilometres of railway consequences of a flood event in these areas will be greater than in the rest of the CFMP area.

Flooding has an impact on infrastructure, including emergency services, hospitals, schools and major transport routes. Table 2 lists some of the infrastructure currently at risk in the CFMP area. Agricultural land is also affected by flooding.

We recognise there is potential risk from surface water and groundwater flooding in other areas of the CFMP, however there is limited information currently available. River Lugg at Marden

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 7 Map 2. Number of properties currently at risk in a 1% AEP flood event

How we currently manage the risk in the catchment

We can split the work we do to management of the consequences • encouraging land use planning manage flood risk into two types: of flooding. This will include: to take account of flood risk in determining the location, layout • work which helps us to reduce • promoting awareness of and design of new development; the likelihood of a flood flooding so that organisations, occurring, and communities and individuals are • flood proofing properties and aware of the risk and are better infrastructure to improve the • work which helps us to deal with prepared to take action in time resilience (reducing the damage the consequences of flooding. of flood; from flood water) and the In the past, we have focussed on resistance (keeping water out) • providing flood warning services reducing the likelihood of flooding to avoid harm. by building flood defences. Other to those at risk, to enable them measures have been used but not to take action; In this CFMP area, current flood risk management is mainly reliant on as a primary solution to flood risk. • improved incident and It is now widely recognised that flood warning, development control emergency response by the managing flood risk to provide and local defences at communities emergency services and by safe and sustainable communities such as Brecon, Monmouth and those at risk from flooding; will require more emphasis on the Usk Town.

8 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Some of the ways in which we • asset management and • flood forecasting and warning currently manage risk in the maintenance (managing (flood event management); CFMP include: current risk); We use the latest technology to • flood risk mapping and data We build, operate and maintain monitor rainfall, river levels, tides management (understanding the flood defences. We recently and sea conditions we use this risks now and in the future); completed a new flood to information to produce flood alleviation scheme in Hereford warnings. Flood risk mapping is which protects the town from a fundamental to understanding 0.5% AEP flood event. • flood incident management flood risk and managing it (responding to flooding events); effectively. Maintenance procedures differ from catchment to catchment. Emergency response to flood We have recently carried out a The work we carry out includes: events is mainly co-ordinated number of flood risk mapping blockage and debris removal through Civil Contingency studies in key risk areas, for from watercourses, asset arrangements and Local example, Hereford, upstream of inspection and inspection and Resilience Forums. Hampton Bishop and Newport. cleaning of grids and trash Our role is to advise our partners This is part of our work to screens. Historic practices of through these arrangements. continually update our hydraulic continuous de-shoaling and We support and participate in models with the latest data so we dredging have ceased in order emergency response exercises. can understand flood risk better to avoid ecological damage and and improve the quality of our to promote biodiversity. flood maps.

• strategic planning and development control (managing future risk and adapting to climate change); CFMPs and SMPs are an important part of strategic planning allowing us to look at a range of strategic measures. These include looking for opportunities to reduce run- off through better rural land management and restoration of floodplains through redevelopment of properties and infrastructure. We work with local authorities to ensure their local development plans address flood risk. Recently we have worked with Monmouthshire Council to help them produce a Strategic Flood Consequence Assessment which will support their local development plan.

Ross-on-Wye

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 9 The impact of climate change and future flood risk

Future flood risk will be influenced • a total sea level rise of one metre AEP flood event will increase, from by climate change, changes in by the year 2100; approximately 8,900 to around land use (for example urban 16,400, unless actions are taken • a low urban growth rate was development) and rural land to manage the increasing risks. applied to Hereford and Newport; management. In the Wye and Usk Figures 2a and 2b show the catchments, climate change will • an increase in rainfall and a difference between current and have the greatest impact on flood decrease in the time it takes for future flood risks from a 1% AEP risk, with urban growth and more the catchments to respond to flood event, assuming current intensive farming practices also that rainfall in areas where there management activities. The highest predicted to have some impact. is high grade agricultural land. numbers of properties at risk, both The following scenario was used Assuming the current level of flood now and in 2100 are at Newport. to analyse future flood risk: risk management continues, we The most significant increases in estimate that by 2100 the number future risk occur in Newport, Brecon, • 20 per cent increase in peak of properties at risk from the 1% Caerleon, Chepstow and Cwmbran. flows;

Figure 2a. Current and future (2100) numbers of properties at risk from a 1% AEP flood event (including Newport)

14000

12000

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000

0 Abergavenny Brecon Builth Wells Caerleon Chepstow Crickhowell Cwmbran Eardisland Glasbury Hay-on-Wye Leominster Magor Monmouth Newport Ponthir Tintern Usk

Figure 2b. Current and future (2100) numbers of properties at risk from a 1% AEP flood event (excluding Newport)

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0 Abergavenny Brecon Builth Wells Caerleon Chepstow Crickhowell Cwmbran Eardisland Glasbury Hay-on-Wye Leominster Magor Monmouth Ponthir Tintern Usk

10 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Current Future Table 3 provides a summary of key Table 3. Key locations at risk in a future (2100) 1% AEP flood event locations at risk in the future. Sea level rise results in large increases Number of properties at risk Locations in flood extents and frequency > 1,000 Newport in the low-lying Newport and the Caldicot Levels. Although fewer people are at risk of flooding in 500 to 1,000 Cwmbran towns such as Brecon and Builth Wells compared to the Lower Wye 100 to 500 Caerleon, Leominster, Chepstow, and Usk, floodwater depth and Brecon, Magor velocity are expected to increase significantly. 50 to 100 Abergavenny, Builth Wells, Crickhowell, Eardisland, Glasbury, The likelihood of damage to Monmouth, Ponthir, Tintern, Usk natural habitats in the future is low. The majority of sites which 25 to 50 Hay-on-Wye will be affected in the future 1% AEP flood event are already close to and to some extent already dependant on water. The internationally designated Table 4. Infrastructure at risk in the future (2100) 1% AEP flood event sites have also been assessed for their vulnerability to increasing 8 emergency services flooding as a result of climate change and the overall impact 33 sewage treatment works has been shown to be minimal. 16 schools Table 4 lists the infrastructure at risk in the future. The most notable 17 kilometres of main road increase in risk to infrastructure is the number of emergency 14 kilometres of railway services (increased from 3 to 8), and sewage treatment works (increased from 19 to 33).

We expect surface water and groundwater flooding will increase. Organisations will need to work together to investigate and manage this flood risk in the future.

River Usk, Crickhowell

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 11 Future direction for flood risk management

Approaches in each sub-area

We have divided the Wye and Usk catchments into seven distinct sub-areas which have similar physical characteristics, sources of flooding and level of risk. We have identified the most appropriate approach to managing flood risk for each of the sub-areas and allocated one of six generic flood risk management policies. These are shown in Map 3 and Table 5.

To select the most appropriate policy, the plan has considered how social, economic and environmental objectives are affected by flood risk management activities under each policy option. Policy analysis and selection is based on flood risk across the entire CFMP area and not just the key locations referred to earlier.

Map 3. Sub-areas in the Wye and Usk CFMP

12 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Table 5. Policy options ➜ Policy 1 Areas of little or no flood risk where we will continue to monitor and advise This policy will tend to be applied in those areas where there are very few properties at risk of flooding. It reflects a commitment to work with the natural flood processes as far as possible.

➜ Policy 2 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we can generally reduce existing flood risk management actions This policy will tend to be applied where the overall level of risk to people and property is low to moderate. It may no longer be value for money to focus on continuing current levels of maintenance of existing defences if we can use resources to reduce risk where there are more people at higher risk. We would therefore review the flood risk management actions being taken so that they are proportionate to the level of risk.

➜ Policy 3 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently appropriately managed and where the risk of flooding is not expected to increase significantly in the future. However, we keep our approach under review, looking for improvements and responding to new challenges or information as they emerge. We may review our approach to managing flood defences and other flood risk management actions, to ensure that we are managing efficiently and taking the best approach to managing flood risk in the longer term.

➜ Policy 4 Areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we are already managing the flood risk effectively but where we may need to take further actions to keep pace with climate change This policy will tend to be applied where the risks are currently deemed to be appropriately-managed, but where the risk of flooding is expected to significantly rise in the future. In this case we would need to do more in the future to contain what would otherwise be increasing risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require further appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 5 Areas of moderate to high flood risk where we can generally take further action to reduce flood risk This policy will tend to be applied to those areas where the case for further action to reduce flood risk is most compelling, for example where there are many people at high risk, or where changes in the environment have already increased risk. Taking further action to reduce risk will require additional appraisal to assess whether there are socially and environmentally sustainable, technically viable and economically justified options.

➜ Policy 6 Areas of low to moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations that provide overall flood risk reduction or environmental benefits This policy will tend to be applied where there may be opportunities in some locations to reduce flood risk locally or more widely in a catchment by storing water or managing run-off. The policy has been applied to an area (where the potential to apply the policy exists), but would only be implemented in specific locations within the area, after more detailed appraisal and consultation.

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 13 Sub-area 1

Cwmbran and M4 Corridor

Our key partners are: flood event, rising to around 810 • increased emphasis on actions properties in the future. Important to manage the consequences Local Authorities and communities infrastructure is at flood risk. In of flooding; the future increased tide levels D∑r Cymru Welsh Water will result in a significant rise in • increased community and individual awareness of their flood Emergency services tidally influenced flooding. The likelihood of defences overtopping risks and adoption of actions both will increase. can take to help themselves. The issues in this sub-area The vision and Actions to implement the policy include: A mostly rural, lowland area, but preferred policy includes some higher ground Policy Option 4 – areas of low, Encourage and support our partners upstream and the communities of moderate or high flood risk where to produce local long term plans Cwmbran, Pontypool and Ponthir. we are already managing the flood to manage all sources of flooding, The River Lwyd and lower River Usk risk effectively but where we may particularly in the deep fast flowing drain the area. need to take further actions to keep flooded areas in the Lwyd catchment. pace with climate change. These plans should include an The River Lwyd is tidally influenced assessment of the consequences as far as Caerleon and the Our vision includes improved of flooding, including from catchment responds quickly to integration of actions by all parties overtopping of defences, and rainfall due to steep, impermeable to manage all sources of flood risk, actions to manage these. They upper reaches. Flood risk is particularly local surface water and should consider future options and mainly from river flooding, tidally sewer flooding. investment needs for defences, influenced river flooding and sewer emergency planning and response, flooding. Surface water flooding is We will continue to maintain and development control issues. an issue in Cwmbran. our defences, but it may not be justifiable to increase their height Encourage and support studies by Approximately 450 properties are in the future, therefore our vision partners to identify surface water currently at risk from the 1% AEP also includes: and sewer flooding issues and management options, particularly at Cwmbran.

Engage with and advise the local community to encourage people at risk to take action to help themselves.

Encourage and support owners and operators of important infrastructure to plan for, and manage, their current and future flood risks.

Review and rationalise our current maintenance activities and target our actions and limited resources River Lwyd, downstream from Pontyfelin Road Bridge to locations of greatest risk.

14 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 2

The Levels

Our key partners are: tidally influenced. Surface water The vision and ponding is an issue due to the flat Monmouthshire County Council topography, which is below sea preferred policy level in places. Newport City Council Policy Option 4 – areas of low, moderate or high flood risk where we Internationally and nationally Local communities are already managing the flood risk important conservation sites are at effectively but where we may need to Caldicot and Wentlooge Levels risk from the 1% AEP flood event. take further actions to keep pace with Internal Drainage Board (IDB) These sites depend on active water climate change. level management and the land Landowners and managers drainage networks. The Caldicot Our vision is to establish a long and Wentlooge Levels IDB play an Countryside Council for Wales term strategic approach to flood risk important role in this area. (CCW) management, developed and agreed with our partners. This will consider Less that 10 properties are currently Emergency services all sources of flooding, including from at risk from the 1% AEP flood event, the sea and will balance the needs of rising to around 230 properties people, property and infrastructure as in the future. Sea level rise in the well as the important environmental The issues in this future will significantly increase designations. sub-area the number of properties at risk and will impact on the designated A mainly rural area with a few environmental sites. small scattered settlements. The Actions to implement main community is Magor which Any significant change in the the policy include: has a history of flooding. The area water environment will impact on Encourage and support our partners is drained by a number of small the valuable natural habitats and to produce local long term plans streams. Flood risk is mainly from species. We need to improve our to manage all sources of flooding. these small streams which are understanding of flood risks in this area. These plans should include an assessment of the consequences of flooding, including from overtopping of defences, and actions to manage these. They should consider future options and investment needs for defences, emergency planning and response, and development control issues. These plans will be informed by the Severn Estuary SMP and the Severn Estuary Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Engage and advise the local communities to encourage people at risk to take action to help themselves, in particular in Magor.

Goldcliff, Caldicot Levels

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 15 Sub-area 3

Lower Usk

Our key partners are: Approximately 250 properties are Actions to implement currently at risk from the 1% AEP Local Authorities and communities flood event, rising to around 570 the policy include: properties in the future. People, D∑r Cymru Welsh Water Review and rationalise our properties and infrastructure in the current actions to ensure they Landowners and managers towns and villages are at flood risk. are appropriate and targeted to Some sections of locally important locations of greatest risk. CCW roads are at risk. Encourage and support our Emergency services Overtopping of defences, now partners to produce local long or in the future, by extreme term plans to manage all sources flood events could have very of flooding, particularly at Brecon, The issues in this serious consequences. Crickhowell and Usk Town. sub-area These plans should include an assessment of the consequences A mainly rural area, which includes The vision and of flooding, including from the communities of Brecon, preferred policy overtopping of defences, and Crickhowell, Abergavenny, Talybont- actions to manage these. They Policy Option 3 – areas of low to on-Usk and Usk Town. Flood risk is should consider future options and moderate flood risk where we are primarily from the River Usk and its investment needs for defences, generally managing existing flood tributaries. Localised surface water emergency planning and response, risk effectively. flooding is an issue in Usk and and development control issues. Crickhowell. Our vision is to ensure all our Encourage and support studies by actions are appropriate and Existing flood defences reduce partners to identify surface water proportionate to the risks, now the likelihood of flooding at and sewer flooding issues and and in the future. Brecon, Crickhowell and Usk Town. management options, particularly We will continue to maintain our at Usk Town and Crickhowell. defences, particularly at Brecon, Engage with and advise the Crickhowell and Usk Town, but it local community to encourage may not be justifiable to increase people at risk to take action their height in the future. Our to help themselves. vision also includes: Encourage and support owners • increased emphasis on actions and operators of important to manage the consequences infrastructure to plan for, and of flooding; manage, their current and • increased community and future flood risks. individual awareness of their Seek opportunities to store flood risks and adoption of water or manage run-off to actions both can take to help provide flood risk or wider themselves. environmental benefits.

River Usk at Brecon Weir

16 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 4

Lower Wye

Our key partners are: from the 1% AEP flood event, Actions to implement rising to around 1,100 properties Local Authorities and communities in the future. the policy include: Encourage and support land D∑r Cymru Welsh Water Overtopping of defences, now use and management changes or in the future, by extreme Lower Wye IDB by others, where these deliver flood events could have very flood risk management and wider River Lugg IDB serious consequences. environmental benefits. Landowners and managers This is an important agricultural Seek opportunities to store water area with a large proportion of good or manage run-off to provide CCW quality land at flood risk. The Lower flood risk or wider environmental Wye also has a large number of Emergency services benefits, e.g. middle reaches of environmental designations. the River Wye and the Monnow, Trothy and Lugg.

The issues in this The vision and Encourage and support our sub-area preferred policy partners to produce local long term plans to manage all A mainly rural area, which includes Policy Option 6 – areas of low to sources of flooding, particularly several important towns such as moderate flood risk where we will at Monmouth, Chepstow and Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth. Flood take action with others to store water Leominster. These plans should risk is primarily from the River Wye or manage run-off in locations that include an assessment of the and its tributaries. Surface water provide overall flood risk reduction consequences of flooding, and localised sewer flooding are or environmental benefits. including from overtopping of also an issue. Our vision is to influence land defences, and actions to manage these. They should consider There are flood defences at use and management practices future options and investment Monmouth and Chepstow and to provide an overall reduction in needs for defences, emergency a flood alleviation scheme at flood risk and contribute to a wider planning and response, and Leominster. Approximately 780 range of benefits, for example, development control issues. properties are currently at risk biodiversity and water quality.

We will continue to maintain Encourage and support studies our defences, but it may not be by partners to identify surface justifiable to increase their height in water and sewer flooding issues the future. Our vision also includes: and management options, particularly at Ross-on-Wye, • increased emphasis on actions Hay-on-Wye, Monmouth, to manage the consequences Leominster and Pembridge. of flooding; Engage with and advise the local • increased community awareness community to encourage people of their flood risks and adoption at risk to take action to help of actions both can take to help themselves. themselves. River Wye at Monmouth Bridge

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 17 Sub-area 5

Hereford

Our key partners are: Our vision is to ensure all our Encourage and support our actions are appropriate and partners to produce local long term Herefordshire Council proportionate to the risks, now plans to manage all sources of and in the future. flooding, particularly at Hampton Local Communities Bishop and Hereford. These plans We will continue to maintain our D∑r Cymru Welsh Water should include an assessment defences, particularly at Hereford and of the consequences of flooding, River Lugg IDB Hampton Bishop, but it may not be including from overtopping of justifiable to increase their height in defences, and actions to manage Emergency services the future. Our vision also includes: these. They should consider future • increased emphasis on actions options and investment needs for to manage the consequences defences, emergency planning The issues in this of flooding; and response, and development sub-area control issues. • increased community and This area contains the city of individual awareness of their We will continue to maintain Hereford, Hampton Bishop and its flood risks and adoption our defences and provide surrounding areas where extensive of actions both can take flood warnings. urban growth is expected. The main to help themselves. Encourage and support studies by source of flood risk is from the partners to identify surface water Rivers Wye and Lugg. There is also and sewer flooding issues and risk of surface water and localised Actions to implement management options, particularly sewer flooding. the policy include: at Hereford.

Approximately 15 properties are Review and rationalise our Engage and advise the local currently at risk from the 1% AEP current actions to ensure they communities to encourage flood event, rising to around 25 are appropriate and targeted to people at risk to take action properties in the future. The main locations of greatest risk. to help themselves. flood risk is to people, properties and infrastructure in Hereford. The recently completed Hereford flood alleviation scheme provides protection from the River Wye to a 0.5% AEP flood event and protects properties and the main road running through the centre of Hereford.

The vision and preferred policy

Policy Option 3 – areas of low to moderate flood risk where we are generally managing existing flood risk effectively. Hereford Flood Alleviation Scheme – River Wye along Riverside Walk

18 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan Sub-area 6

Upper Wye and Usk

Our key partners are: This area has a large number • increased emphasis on actions of important environmental to manage the consequences Local Authorities and communities designations. of flooding. Particularly at Builth Wells; D∑r Cymru Welsh Water • increased community and Landowners and managers The vision and individual awareness of their flood CCW preferred policy risks and adoption of actions both Policy Option 6 – areas of low to can take to help themselves. Emergency services moderate flood risk where we will take action with others to store water or manage run-off in locations Actions to implement The issues in this that provide overall flood risk the policy include: reduction or environmental benefits. sub-area Encourage and support land Our vision is to influence land use and management changes This is mainly a rural area, which use and management practices by others, where these deliver includes several towns, for to provide an overall reduction in flood risk management and wider example, Builth Wells, Glasbury and flood risk and contribute to a wider environmental benefits. Talgarth. Flood risk is primarily from range of benefits, for example, the River Wye and its tributaries. biodiversity and water quality. Seek opportunities to store water or manage run-off to provide flood risk Approximately 430 properties are It is unlikely that we will be able to or wider environmental benefits. currently at risk from the 1% AEP justify construction of significant flood event rising to around 570 new defences. We will continue to Encourage and support our partners properties in the future. maintain existing defences, but it to produce local long term plans to manage all sources of flooding, Properties are at risk in both the may not be justifiable to replace particularly at Builth Wells. These main urban centres and also them or to increase their height in plans should include an assessment dispersed across the area. the future. Our vision also includes: of the consequences of flooding, including from overtopping of defences, and actions to manage these. They should consider future options and investment needs for defences, emergency planning and response, and development control issues.

Review and rationalise our current actions to ensure they are appropriate and targeted to locations of greatest risk.

Engage and advise the local communities to encourage people at risk to take action to help themselves. River Wye at Glasbury upstream of road bridge, October 2008

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 19 Sub-area 7

Newport

Our key partners are: Approximately 6,900 properties Actions to implement are currently at risk from the 1% Newport City Council AEP river and 0.5% tidal flood the policy include: event, rising to around 13,100 Local communities Encourage and support our partners properties in the future. Flood to produce local long term plans D∑r Cymru Welsh Water risk is dominated by the tidal to manage all sources of flooding, influence. In the future, sea level for Newport. These plans should Emergency services rise and additional development include an assessment of the will considerably increase the flood consequences of flooding, including risks unless these are managed. from overtopping of defences, and The issues in this actions to manage these. They sub-area should consider future options and The vision and investment needs for defences, This is an urban area, including preferred policy emergency planning and response, Newport and Caerleon. The area and development control issues to Policy Option 5 – areas of moderate has a high population density avoid inappropriate development in to high flood risk where we can and is a centre for employment high risk areas.These plans will be generally take further action to and urban growth. Flood risk is informed by the Severn Estuary SMP reduce flood risk. associated with tidally influenced and the Severn Estuary Flood Risk flooding from the River Usk Newport relies on flood defences to Management Strategy. and tributaries running through reduce the likelihood of flooding. We will continue to maintain Newport. There is also risk of Overtopping of defences, now or our defences and provide surface water and localised in the future, by extreme flood or flood warnings. sewer flooding. tidal events could have serious consequences. We will continue to Encourage and support studies by maintain our defences, but it may partners to identify surface water not be justifiable or acceptable to and sewer flooding issues and increase their height in the future. management options, for Newport.

The outcome we seek is a Engage and advise the local complementary set of flood risk communities to encourage people management actions by all partners at risk to take action to help at a local community level. These themselves. will include: Encourage and support owners • increased emphasis on actions to and operators of important manage the consequences infrastructure to plan for, and of flooding from all sources; manage, their current and future flood risks. • increased community and individual awareness of their flood risks and adoption of actions both can take to help themselves.

River Usk, Riverside Area at Newport

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Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 21 Map of CFMP policies

km 0 4 8 16 24

7 2

Legend ■■ Policy 5 Preferred Policy ■■ Policy 6 ■■ Policy 3 River Network ■■ Policy 4 Wales England Border

22 Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan ■■ Sub-area 1 – Cwmbran and M4 Corridor ■■ Sub-area 5 – Hereford Flood risk is moderate but is expected to rise Flood risk is low and is not expected to increase significantly into the future. Densely populated and significantly in the future. Flood risk is currently a great deal of strategically important infrastructure considered to be managed at an appropriate level, at risk. Flood risk management activity will need to but will be reviewed and reprioritised as necessary increase to sustain the current level of protections to ensure that activities are proportionate to the into the future. level of risk.

■■ Sub-area 2 – The Levels ■■ Sub-area 6 – Upper Wye and Usk Flood risk is low but is expected to rise significantly Flood risk is relatively high and is expected to increase in the future, in relation to the size of the area. into the future. The rural nature of the catchment The area is a sensitive environmental site. We need provides an excellent opportunity to reduce flood to better understand the flood risk and the impact risk in a sustainable way through land use and land of flood risk management activities on the site. management practices.

■■ Sub-area 3 – Lower Usk ■■ Sub-area 7 – Newport Flood risk is relatively low and is not expected to Flood risk is very high and is expected to increase increase significantly in the future. Flood risk is significantly into the future. Newport is an economic currently considered to be managed at an appropriate hub with high population densities and future growth level, but will be reviewed and reprioritised as predictions. Flood risk management activity needs to necessary to ensure that activities are proportionate increase to minimise this risk. to the level of risk.

■■ Sub-area 4 – Lower Wye Flood risk is relatively high and is expected to increase into the future with quality agricultural land at risk. The rural nature of the catchment provides an excellent opportunity to reduce flood risk in a sustainable way through land use and land management practices.

Environment Agency Wales Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 23 Would you like to find out more about us, or about your environment?

Then call us on 08708 506 506* (Mon-Fri 8-6) email [email protected] or visit our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs) floodline 0845 988 1188

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