PEOPLE living in Monmouth are hoping a flood alleviation scheme for their area will move a step nearer completion this week.

The area around Drybridge Street and Wonastow Road has been hit by serious flooding three times in the last four years, most recently when 30 properties were flooded over three days in February 2002.

The flooding, which also devastated the area in autumn 1999 and December 2000, arises from flows down the Wonastow Road brook being unable to discharge into the River Monnow due to high flood levels in that river.

Margaret Cleaves, the licensee of the Green Dragon Inn at Monmouth, said: "We have been very lucky here at the pub because the water was up against our door but didn't come inside.

"Elsewhere though homes have been ruined with sewage and silt being left after the water was gone.

"Flooding is horrendous and the problem here means that people buying houses in the area cannot get full insurance against it."

Monmouthshire council's cabinet will see a report on Wednesday urging them to support the progression of a flood alleviation scheme to the design and procurement stage.

The scheme, estimated at a cost of £1,545,365, depends on the Assembly providing 85 per cent of the total in a Land Drainage Grant.

Monmouthshire council has made a capital budget bid for 2004-5 to meet its 15 per cent share of the cost of the scheme.

Monmouthshire councillor for the Overmonnow area of Monmouth, Maureen Roach, is hopeful that the Assembly will foot the outstanding bill for the scheme.

Councillor Roach said: "I have written to the Environment Minister Carwyn Jones and he has replied. Officers from his department are to meet Monmouthshire officers to discuss aspects of the funding.

"It is vital that this scheme is completed, the area has been and will be very badly affected without it."