Ground investigations are being undertaken by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as it continues to investigate the possibility of introducing a new flood scheme to protect 113 properties in Cardigan from tidal flooding.

Specialist contractors will need to drill into both banks of the river to collect soil samples and install monitors to check groundwater levels. The results will help NRW to evaluate what type of construction work might be possible.

Work will begin on February 23 and should last for around two weeks.

It follows on from a recent series of drop in sessions in Cardigan where local people had an opportunity to discuss their concerns about flooding with NRW and Ceredigion County Council officers.

Phill Pickersgill, Operations Manager, from Natural Resources Wales said: “We had a great response at our drop in sessions where local people shared with us their knowledge of the area, and their first hand experiences of flooding. This valuable information will help inform our decisions as we look at potential options for a flood scheme in Cardigan.

“During the next phase of our assessment, the ground investigations, we’ll do our best to minimise any disruption to local people.

“We are continuing to work with Ceredigion County Council and D?r Cymru Welsh Water to address all aspects of flooding in the area. While we can’t always stop flooding, we hope our investigations will lead us towards some solid plans which will help to manage and reduce the risk of flooding in the area.”

NRW hopes to make a decision on whether it is possible to develop a scheme for Cardigan by summer 2015.

A free tidal flood warning service is already available to people in Cardigan, with 86 people signed up. Following last winter’s flooding, NRW has also helped local people to set up a community flood plan in conjunction with local councillors.