Posted on: Tuesday 21 November 2023
Work is underway to remove a number of trees and shrubs growing close to Garn Lakes to enable repairs and reduce the risk of flooding.
Since 2016, the upper and lower lakes have been classed as reservoirs and in 2021, they were designed high risk by Natural Resources Wales.
A review by Torfaen Council has found some safety issues, including damaged weirs and rock armour which helps to prevent erosion, that need to be repaired.
It has also identified that around 250 trees and shrubs need to be removed from the spillways and reservoir dams to ensure that if the reservoirs ever breech, the vegetation will not block nearby culverts and prevent the water from dispersing safely.
The work is due to take place until Friday November 24 but will not affect visitors to the site.
Trees will be planted elsewhere in the borough to replace the ones being removed.
Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for Environment, said: "I'd like to thank our team for their diligent work in liaising with Natural Resources Wales to mitigate these risks in a way that helps to protect the wider environment."