THE MP for the Vale of Clwyd has said the flooding of properties in St Asaph is “inevitable” but urged for improvements to be made to river defences.

Dr James Davies said he was “largely impressed” by the new defences on the River Elwy, completed by Natural Resources Wales in 2018, however there is “action needed” to prevent flooding in the future.

"The new hard defences within St Asaph are largely doing their job, albeit not by a large margin,” he said. "The main concern currently relates to the function of the culvert at the Lower Denbigh Road/Glascoed Road junction with flow of water onto the road.

“There is also some overtopping of softer defences adjacent to fields with flooding of the A525.”

Dr Davies praised the emergency response to the flooding, which included a rest centre at St Asaph Leisure Centre for 53 residents whose homes were at risk of severe flooding.

"Sadly some flooding of properties is inevitable but the new defences appear to have averted major disaster,” he said. “I will be speaking to the authorities about any alterations needed to the culvert and other lessons to be learned.

“The emergency response on the ground was incredible and I pay tribute to the work of all those involved in managing the situation.”