Save Aberdulais Aqueduct
Storm Dennis of July last year caused much damage to the Aberdulais area and very nearly demolished the 200 year old aqueduct at Aberdulais on the Tennant Canal. The aqueduct was subsequently blamed as a contributing factor to the floods at Canal Side which saw the poor residents being inundated in the latest of many floods.
However, it came as a shock last week to receive an email from Harriet Eaton of the Neath Port Talbot Heritage Group, signaling that the aqueduct may be subject to demolition by the County Borough, rather than its being restored. The Neath and Tennant Canal Trust are raising concerns about this matter and have asked every heritage society in their area for their support.
I have therefore lobbied both Resolven Community Council and local ward Councillor Dean Lewis in order to gain their support. I am glad to report that letters will be going to the County Borough denouncing this short sighted plan. Harriet Eaton has also been informed.
Should any member also wish to write in , it would obviously add to the weight of the opposition.
Trefor Jones
posted by eclecs | 2:11 pm
2 Comments:
I have found pictures from 2019 of the Aqueduct already seriously damaged before last year. The Aqueduct as a been subject of discussion within this council and others for many years. To blame the Aqueduct as a contributory factor in the flooding of homes in Aberdulais is irresponsible. The real reason the homes on the canal side are flooded is simply down to due to fact that the Tennant canal as not been properly maintained since the closures of BP Llandarcy refinery and BP Chemicals at Baglan over 30 years ago. Overtime the canal as lost more that 50% of its original depth to the build-up of silt and weed plus 20% of its width in places is lost due to bank erosion. A dredging program to restore the 8 mile Tennant canal will more than double the volume of any floodwater, relieving river overflows on the rare occasions that severe weather conditions put Aberdulais residents at risk. Repair the Aqueduct, with full restoration of the Tennant Canal and why isn’t the NPTC/NRW not building a SMALL stone flood-wall in front of the homes?
Strange there's no pressure by NPTC and NRW(National Resources Wales) on the Port Tennant Canal company to dredge the Tennant canal given its only a fraction of its original depth. Now, why wouldn’t you want to increase the volume of a relief canal carrying river floodwater by 80%? Its not the complete solution but its just one very obvious measure to help reduce the flood risk to the residents of Canal Side in Aberdulais. Strange then dredging is not even mentioned on the NPTC recent flood report yet we know from contacting the NRW, dredging was discussed. Truth is the NRW & NPTC want to demolish the Aqueduct, then probably the railway viaduct. NPTC Councillors (Skewen) ignorance on the threat to the Aqueduct and the Tennant canals worsening condition is sickening. The Tennant canal is now all but abandoned. Its a very sad situation.
STTC
https://savethetennantcanal.co.uk/
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