Work on a controversial sewage system at a popular Cardiff park has been hit by fresh delays after "significant flooding and damage". It is the latest issue in a bitter saga over the scheme for a pumping station at Hailey Park in Llandaff North.
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water's plans were approved by Cardiff council in September 2022 despite local residents, community groups, park users, and councillors objecting over potential bad smells, noise levels, and effects on biodiversity. Campaigners raised thousands of pounds for a legal challenge against the development but they lost their battle in 2023.
Following lengthy delays tunnelling work began earlier this year but residents have now been told it has been delayed "due to unforeseen circumstances".
The letter reads: "Unfortunately progress on site has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances."
It continues: "An ingress of water event occurred at the base of the shaft at Hailey Park causing significant flooding and damage to the tunnel-boring machine that had begun work on the new sewer pipeline between De Braose Close (Danescourt) and Hailey Park.
"Following a thorough investigation with our tunnelling contractor it has been confirmed that the damage sustained to the tunnel-boring machine cannot be repaired in its current location. As such the machine will need to be removed from the tunnel and shaft for off-site repairs."
Welsh Water had previously said work on the pumping station was expected to take place from October 2024 to April 2025. The water supplier then pushed the timeline back for tunnelling to start around February 2025 and the removal of the site compound to take place in October 2025 - but the latest problems mean that target will not be achieved.
The update from Welsh Water reads: "We currently anticipate that work will resume in January 2026 and will take around seven months to complete with reinstatement of the site to follow." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter.
It goes on: "Our team will remain on site to manage the removal of the tunnel-boring machine. This poses some engineering and safety challenges hence the timescales of the delay. As such you will continue to see our team working to help resolve the issue as safely and efficiently as possible.
"We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to the local community and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
"We will continue to review the project timeline and provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available from our tunnelling contractor."
Welsh Water previously said the scheme was needed because Cog Moors Wastewater Treatment Works does not have the capacity to take on all of the sewage from Plasdwr.
Llandaff North residents and campaigners have long voiced concerns over the impact the pumping station will have on biodiversity and access to green space.
Welsh Water's plans are accompanied by a landscaping scheme which is designed to mitigate the project's visual and environmental impact.
WalesOnline has asked the not-for-profit the expected financial cost of the flood damage.