Business as usual for Abergele pub as new road diverts Storm Ciara floods

During previous bouts of extreme rainfall, The George & Dragon pub on Market Street has seen its cellar regularly fill up with up to feet of water.

Yet despite the devastating affects of the storm in areas such as St Asaph, Llangernyw and Llanfair Talhaiarn, resurfacing work completed earlier this month around the junction between Market Street and Chapel street diverted the worst of the water run-off, according to landlord Lee Martin.

The same section of the town during floods three years ago. Picture: Lee Martin

Mr Martin said: “I was waiting for the worst, I had a wellies and extra pump ready.

“In previous years the junction between the two roads always used to flood. three years ago, my cellar was filled with three feet of water and all the barrels were floating around everywhere.

“This year, there was no water in the street, even though the water from the hills and Glan Gele were really high, it didn’t hold.

“I only woke up to a few inches of water in the cellar which drained off really quickly. It’s all gone now, the cellar is completely dry and I didn’t have to use my wellies or the pump.”

Further down the road however, an access road shared between Abergele Golf Club and Gwrych Castle did experience some flooding on the morning of Sunday, February 9 - however it was also business as usual for the landmark.

A spokesperson for Gwrych Castle said: “Like everywhere re were areas of localised flooding, including a shared access road with the golf club where there was some flooding. We did our best to assist, but the waters receded meaning we faced minimal disruption.

“Gwrych castle itself was unaffected and remained open.

“I know there were some concerns about the water levels of the Gele River from residents, but it did what it was supposed to do and didn’t break tis banks as far as we know.”

Abergele Golf Club has been approached for comment.