Street where residents are terrified of flooding to be bulldozed

Homes on a street at severe risk of flooding will be bought by a local council and demolished as they remain at risk of further damage.

Clydach Terrace, in Ynysybwl, Rhondda Cynon Taf, has a "unique risk of significant flooding" from the nearby Nant Clydach stream. It was under water during Storms Dennis and Bert, with homes extensively damaged.

Paige Didcote, who lives on the street, said her anxiety was "through the roof" and flood warnings "terrified" her.

Last year, Natural Resources Wales said building a flood defence wall was "not economically viable".

Rhondda Cynon Taf council officials recommended the authority buy 16 homes for £2.57m - and councillors have now approved the move.

A report outlining the proposed purchase of homes on the street states that an expectation climate change will make flooding "a more frequent occurrence" should be considered.

Paige, 27, who works for the ambulance service, said her "anxiety levels are definitely through the roof" when she leaves her dogs at home in the day.

"If there is a flood warning and our dogs are in the house it terrifies us because we both travel over an hour to and from work," she said.

"Other people in the street, they have kids, grandkids, so it's a lot more difficult for them."

Council officials recommended the council acquired numbers 1-16 on Clydach Terrace, which would include incidental costs, relocation assistance and legal fees.

Numbers 6a and 6b Clydach Terrace are in an elevated position from the road and not at high risk of flooding, so have been excluded from the proposal.

A wall currently separates the Nant Clydach tributary from the street, but the environment body, Natural Resources Wales, said building a raised flood defence wall was "not economically viable".

The cabinet report said that, during Storm Dennis and Storm Bert, much of the pavement and highway was under water and there was extensive damage to the properties.

It said residents had difficulty obtaining insurance because of high costs, and there was a significant risk to health and danger to life in the area.

Paige said: "I'm hoping that they will buy us out, it's the only option unfortunately and the best option."

"It will just take the anxiousness away from every storm, every winter - even when it rains the anxiety levels are through the roof," she said.

Paul Thomas, 66, who has lived on Clydach Terrace for 40 years, believes he is lucky to be alive after being caught in flooding during Storm Dennis in 2020.

"A wave came up the street and knocked me off the step, I was carried across the road, over to the wall, but I was able to kick off and get back," he said.

"I would have gone into the river and down the tunnel and that would have been the end of me.

"I was pulling pipes off the houses to stop myself being dragged out - the wave was powerful enough to break doors and windows."

But, for Paul, a potential move is bittersweet, as his daughter lives next door and his grandson and daughter-in-law live the other side.

"My grandson is devastated," he said, "but we've resigned ourselves to the fact that we've got to go".

Paul does not know where he and his family will go next, but believes the chances of being able to live in neighbouring homes is slim.

"We know that's all going to change," he said.

A council report said if the purchase was approved the properties would be demolished and any flood risks would be removed.

Paul said the residents felt they had no choice but to leave and hoped the council would approve the purchase.

"We watch a weather report and our whole world crumbles around us - it's taken a toll on our health if I'm perfectly honest with you - it's taken over our lives," he said.

"As soon as we're able too, we've got to go," he added.

Paul and Paige said they did not know how much money they might receive.

"A lot of people are speculating we're going to get a tremendous amount of money - it doesn't work like that," Paul said.

Paige said she would like to stay in the area.

"No plan at the moment, no figures at the moment - I do love the area, it's just a shame that the river is across the road," she said.