The flooding problem on the footpath from Twt Park to Waitrose Car Park has been the cause of concern, anger and frustration to local residents for quite some time now.

Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council members have been engaging with Waitrose and the Vale of Glamorgan Council since 2022 in efforts to resolve the problem.

Unfortunately, these efforts became bogged down in questions of ownership and responsibility.

In an effort to move things forward the Town Council, in April 2023, commissioned consultant engineers to devise a scheme to solve the problem. The estimated cost of the proposed scheme is £12,500.

Since the Town Council does not have the funds to undertake the work, or arguably the responsibility and legal powers, it approached the Vale of Glamorgan Council in July 2023 to use unused Section 106 monies paid as part of the Waitrose development.

This was agreed in principle but it then came to light that the section of path from Twt Park to the car park had not been designated a right of way as a result of an administrative error when the footpaths were diverted when Waitrose was built.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council now requires the landowner of the path to sign a legal document making the path a right of way before they will release the money to do the work. It has been said that this process can take up to six months from when it is initiated.

In a further complication, the Town Council now understands that the process of making the footpath a public right of way cannot be initiated until the Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet have signed off on the use of Section 106 monies and this cannot be done until 3 quotes have been obtained for the work, all of which is causing further delays.

Despite these delays and frustrations, the Town Council says it will continue to pressure the Vale of Glamorgan Council to secure the funds to solve the flooding problem.