A new flood defence scheme to keep a Newport neighbourhood safe from rising water levels has been approved.

The £10 million scheme will see measures put in place along the River Usk near to Coronation Park, in a bid to prevent flooding in the Lliswerry area of the city.

Earlier this year, the plans were unveiled to local residents, before going before Newport City Council’s planning department for their approval.

And now, the proposals, brought forward by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have been given the green light to go ahead.

It means that work to build the large scale flood defence system, known as the Stephenson Street Flood Defence Scheme, can now commence.

At this time, the timescale for the project is not yet known.

Below, you can find out what the plans for the Liswerry flood defence scheme show.

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What can we expect?

According to planning documents, the scheme will see six concrete and sheet pile flood walls built on the land to the south of Coronation Park.

Existing flood embankments and paths would also be refurbished – including the Wales Coastal Path.

There would also be a highway flood gate, and a new half-mile long road, and associated landscaping work along this road.

Documents show that all of these measures are being put in place “to reduce the chance of tidal flood risk from the River Usk.”

The new footpath improvements would see the Wales Coast Path linked up with a section of Coronation Park, creating a circular walking route with viewing platforms across the River Usk.

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How did we get here?

According to a NRW report, “Newport has a history of tidal flooding”.

Over the years, the city has seen a number of major floods, and while the area has a flood embankment in place, it has been classified as a “failing asset”, and in recent years, modelling has demonstrated that this is at risk of breaching.

The report continues by saying that “Without the required remedial and improvement works to existing flood defence infrastructure along the River Usk, assets are likely to fail, placing significant risks upon human health and residential/non-residential properties in Liswerry, Newport.”

South Wales Argus: An artist impression of how the defences will look (Credit: Natural Resources Wales)An artist impression of how the defences will look (Credit: Natural Resources Wales)

Should the defences be breached, it is thought that 192 residential properties and 620 non-residential properties in the Liswerry/Spytty area would be at immediate risk.

Those figures rise to 1,117 residential dwellings and 1,016 non-residential properties by 2069, due to climate change and the rise in sea levels.

What has been said about the plans?

When news of the plans was first unveiled in the spring, operations manager for NRW, Tim England said: “Within just the first few weeks of the New Year, Storm Christoph brought yet more flooding and devastation to many communities in Wales.

“We are advised that with climate change these events are likely to become more frequent.  Our assessment of risk, supported by our flood modelling, places Liswerry at high risk for the future.

“During our consultation last September, we heard from many residents and businesses in the affected area, and we’ve had some very valuable and constructive conversations that have helped to shape the plans we have put forward today.”