The grant is in addition to the £0.2 million awarded previously and the £1.4 million the scheme will also receive from the European Regional Development Fund. The balance of funding will come from Rhondda Cynon Taff Council who are the scheme promoters and expect to start work on the project later this month.
The scheme will address a long standing flooding problem in the Glyntaf Farm Estate and Sycamore Street area of Rhydyfelin. Since 1993 around 100 homes have been flooded with many more near to the flooding.
Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council estimates that flooding occurs on average about once every four years
The scheme will provide improved flood protection to around 280 residential properties, Heol y Celyn Primary School as well as local roads and the Taff Trail cycle route.
£200M flood damage in Wales each year
Commenting on the project the Minister said:
"One in six properties in Wales is currently at risk of flooding, with flooding estimated to cause in the region of £200 million of damage each year.
“We recognise that as the climate changes causing more intense rainfall and higher sea levels, flood and coastal erosion risk is set to increase significantly over time and the Welsh Government is leading a major change in the way we manage flood and erosion risk. In November we launched our first National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management which will direct funding towards not only improving our defences but also to raising awareness and increasing resilience.
"The Government is committed to supporting as many flood management schemes as possible and our current programme indicates that over 1,800 properties will benefit from improved protection in 2011/12.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Emergency Planning and Customer Care Cllr Andrew Morgan said:
“This part of Rhydyfelin has suffered from flooding for many years and I am very pleased that the Council has been able to secure money from the Welsh Government for action to address this.
“The Council is delighted that the project has now been given the green light and we look forward to seeing all the improvements that this scheme will bring to the area. As a Council we are doing all we can to implement this extensive flood alleviation scheme for the village and hope residents will remain patient with us during the forthcoming series of works that will be undertaken in the vicinity of their homes.”