After 4 major floods in six years, residents are fearful that Skenfrith has become a forgotten village.

For six years, the promises of action to prevent flooding have largely evaporated with progress by Natural Resources Wales facing delays due to financial pressures, staff shortages, and the need for a project manager.

While funding was allocated for 2024/25, a project manager is still needed to advance the plans, which are a priority for NRW.

Villagers were pinning their hopes on local man Kendall Price who wanted to restore the trench that ran from above the village to a point below, travelling under a dry bridge by the Priory.

But he has been frustrated by bureaucratic barriers, told that he had to apply for a felling licence, and then informed one was not needed, then an ecology report was required, and now understands that a Flood Risk Activity Permit (FRAP) is necessary for any digging within eight metres of a riverbank.

He has been told these FRAP licences can cost up to £20,000 which the villagers cannot afford.

They have clubbed together and raised about £5,000 of their own money to try to find some way of alleviating the pressure of the floodwater on their village.

“Having endured four floods in six years and seen promises of action evaporate, they are at their wits end” Kendal told the Beacon.

Homes and businesses were hit in October 2019 and again four months later when Storm Dennis struck in February 2020.

In 2024, Storm Bert brought ‘threat to life’ warnings and the latest, Storm Claudia has been described by a local man whose family have lived in the village since the 1900s as the worst in 100 years

The Beacon reported In September 2023, NRW announced it was looking to save money due to “significant” financial pressures, and the project was placed on hold until the start of April 2024.

In 2024 that work to protect the village stalled after it was revealed there was no project manager to progress the scheme.

While a funding allocation for the 2024/25 financial year was made from the Welsh Government to kick-start work, NRW has admitted it did not currently have a project manager to take the plans forward.

Steve Morgan, Head of South East Wales Operations for Natural Resources Wales, said: "We recognise that Skenfrith has experienced flooding on several occasions in recent years. We continue to work closely with the local community and elected members to explore what options are available to help manage flood risk.

"We have followed government processes and assessed possible options, and this has shown that the most viable and cost-beneficial approach is property-level protection.

“We have been working with the community to identify the best options for each property and we are committed to taking this project forward.

"We have also been in discussions with partner organisations about the potential for nature-based catchment solutions, and these conversations are ongoing."