Members of our project team met with the Dyffryn Conwy Flood Partnership Group, local councillors and local farmers and landowners to present the proposals and explain the preferred option.

The aim is to provide a level of protection in Llanrwst and Trefriw against a 1 in 200 year flood. The significant floods of February 2004 and January 2005 were assessed as being approximately 1 in 25-year events.

Having looked at a number of possible options the scheme being taken forward involves work to improve defences in Llanrwst, a new embankment to protect properties in Trefriw, and modifications to existing earth floodbanks that protect farmland in the valley.

One result of the proposal would be that this farmland will flood more frequently in future and further work will now take place to see how this impact can be managed. The Agency will work closely with all those affected by the proposal as it develops.

Meic Davies, the Agency’s Flood Risk Manager, who chaired last week’s meeting of the Dyffryn Conwy Flood Partnership Group said: " The Partnership welcomes the progress made so far on this scheme. All the members are determined to see improved defences for Trefriw and Llanrwst and the level of co-operation between all those involved has been tremendous. We will all be working hard now to make sure that we have a successful scheme in place as soon as possible. A public exhibition explaining the proposals will take place in February. "