7/12/24

Cardiff Council crews battled against the elements to respond to more than 130 reports of fallen trees and debris as Storm Darragh swept into the capital today.

Prioritising cases based on risk to life or public safety, it has been the highest number of incidents dealt with by the council during a single storm event for more than 20 years.

As extremely high winds hit the city in the early hours, crews were on site within 20 minutes to the first report of the day at 2.30am and continued to work tirelessly across the city to unblock highways and clean up the mess left in the wake of the storm.

In dreadful conditions, teams prioritised clearing roads affected by fallen trees as much as possible during daylight hours. Heol Goch in Pentyrch, closed from early this morning, will remain closed overnight while the slip road off Leckwith roundabout to join the A4232 towards Culverhouse Cross has been closed this evening due to a fallen tree.

Crews will return tomorrow to continue with clear up work across the city. Please bear with us as we manage our way through the damage caused by Storm Darragh.

The Council’s contact centre Connect to Cardiff fielded more than 300 reports of fallen trees and damage caused by the storm which were all passed on to our teams on the ground.

Our emergency contact lines are now in a better position to take over with calls as reports have fallen to a manageable level. To ensure reports are addressed promptly, please report any fallen trees or highways issues that are likely to cause serious accident or injury to the emergency teams on 029 2087 2087.

The social media channels will not be monitored overnight.

With weather warnings remaining in place for the city for the rest of today and into tomorrow, the Council continues to focus on essential services particularly in the areas of Social Services, Housing (including homelessness provision), Meals on Wheels, Telecare, Highways, and Harbour Authority.

The following arrangements are in place for Sunday:

•           Recycling Centres – closed.

•           Cardiff Riding School - a number of lessons on Sunday have been cancelled and the school will be open only for a limited number of riders. All those affected by the cancellations have been contacted directly.

•           Cardiff International White Water High Ropes will remain closed on Sunday, but the rest of the facility is open.

•           Cardiff Dogs Home – open on Sunday.

•           Bute Park Light Trail, Working Street Christmas attractions and Cardiff Castle – open on Sunday.

•           Cemeteries will open as usual at 10am on Sunday.

•           Winter Wonderland (Castle and City Hall sites) will open from 1pm.

We are continuing to closely monitor the weather and its impact on the city this evening and into tomorrow. Advice and updates will be published on our social media channels.