Process to secure a contractor to take forward Ammanford flood defence scheme continues

The process to secure a contractor to take forward work on a Natural Resources Wales (NRW) project to improve flood defences in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, is continuing.

Construction work to improve flood defences in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire is due to begin later than planned, in January 2023.

The scheme to reduce the flood risk to approximately 385 properties from the rivers Loughor, Marlas and Lash, was scheduled to begin this spring.

However, Natural Resources Wales has not been able to appoint a contractor following a first tendering process and will be tendering the work again over this summer.

Construction work should start in the new year, subject to a successful appointment.

Susie Tudge, Project Manager, NRW, said:

“We’re committed to providing this scheme for Ammanford, which will reduce the flood risk in the areas of Bonllwyn, Aberlash Road, Tir-y-dail, Gwyn Fryn and Shands Road.

“We had planned to start construction work in spring 2022, but following an initial tendering process we have not been able to appoint a contractor.

“We will be tendering again over the summer with a view to appointing a contractor and starting construction work in January 2023.

“This delay is unfortunate, but securing the right contractor is a crucial step in ensuring the work is carried out to the high-quality specification that is required to reduce flood risk to the communities of Ammanford for years to come.”

Natural Resources Wales was granted planning permission to develop the scheme in 2021, and will use several methods in key locations to make homes and businesses more resilient to flooding.

Computer modelling predicts that more than 200 properties in Ammanford are currently at risk of flooding. This increases to more than 380 properties in the future due to climate change.

For more information visit the project webpage: Natural Resources Wales / Ammanford Flood Risk Management Project