Rhymney High Street - Environmental Improvement Scheme

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Consultation has concluded

The High Street was refurbished some years ago with new pedestrian and seating areas created and street trees established. Although the benefits provided by the scheme remain, parts of it have become worn, there is damage to the surface in places and areas of puddling have developed, some of them quite extensive.

The proposed scheme will remove the puddles, address the uneven areas of paving and protect the trees by providing a better growing environment for them.

In addition, measures are proposed that will control the rate that water runs off the site. This is in line with current legislation and will provide the following benefits:

  • Reduce flooding in times of extreme rainfall
  • Clean the water before it leaves the site
  • Provide some biodiversity and amenity benefit (new planters will be installed)

The appearance of the scheme will remain very similar to the current situation although there will be some minor changes in level and some new drains installed. Several planters will be installed at the lower ‘street’ level and these will support native ‘wetland’ plants that will flower during the summer.

Purpose of the Engagement

To share the plans with the public and raise awareness of the proposed scheme.

Ways to give your views

Display boards available to view at Rhymney Library from 1st - 31st May 2024.

Engagement Events at Rhymney Library on;

Wednesday 8th May, 10am-12pm

Wednesday 15th May 2024, 4pm-6pm

Share your thoughts using the ideas board below.

Expected Outcomes

Based on your feedback, we will proceed with the scheme to reduce the risk of surface water flooding on Rhymney High Street. Rhymney is more vulnerable to surface water flooding than 95% of communities in Wales. Our scheme seeks to slow the flow of water and install drainage which is less likely to become blocked. The scheme is set to be funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Many residents raised issues with the trees along the High Street. Here is some more information on those trees and their importance to the High Street.

Rhymney is a conservation area which places additional protections on trees in the area. The trees along the High Street are inspected regularly. They were inspected in August 2024, August 2023, March 2021, August 2020, and August 2018.

There are 16 plane trees and 5 lime trees on Rhymney High Street. All trees are early-aged trees in good condition. They are two very suitable species for growing in an urban street setting. They are relatively disease-resistant, adept at coping with air pollution, and robust at withstanding regular cyclical pruning maintenance. They are of high amenity value, and that value will increase significantly as the trees become fully mature and provide an increased canopy cover (and the associated shading) in a district of the county borough that is under-represented in terms of valuable canopy cover, helping to mitigate the worst aspects of ongoing climate change.

Typical residents’ complaints such as low canopies, encroaching branches, obscured street lighting or street furniture, are being resolved as they occur. The trees have been appropriately managed for their species, their setting and with the long-term management objective of raising the canopy to above eaves level. Additionally, some root pruning has been undertaken when pavement repairs have been required, in conjunction with the Highways department.

Tree growth takes time. When the trees were younger they required more interventions to formatively prune them so that when they reach maturity they will make an excellent contribution to the townscape here, benefitting the residents, business owners and visitors, and reinforcing the high-quality built environment – as recognised by the High Street's Conservation Area status conferred under the Planning legislation.

Where CCTV cameras on buildings are obscured by tree canopies, or street lighting, or any other structure is becoming physically encroached – such as street signage or a satellite dish on the gable wall of the adjacent building, then those issues rightly warrant maintenance – which we have and will continue to undertake.

Other seasonal issues – such as falling leaves, or seeds, etc. – do not warrant additional maintenance, as those are not actionable legal nuisances. These should be addressed by the necessary regime of street cleansing works at the relevant time of year. The Council’s website aims to explain this to residents and elected Members at the tree-related FAQs found at Caerphilly - Caerphilly County Borough 

Colleagues responsible for trees are aware of, and have contributed professional expertise to, the plans for Rhymney High Street, including the footway and Sustainable Drainage schemes around the trees at this location. As regards sustainable drainage and flood management,  trees make a significant contribution to mitigating flash flooding – another valuable reason for tree retention here.

Given the Council’s policies for managing the climate emergency, for addressing the nature crisis and for safeguarding the environment for future generations, there is more reason to retain these assets than there are to have them removed.


The High Street was refurbished some years ago with new pedestrian and seating areas created and street trees established. Although the benefits provided by the scheme remain, parts of it have become worn, there is damage to the surface in places and areas of puddling have developed, some of them quite extensive.

The proposed scheme will remove the puddles, address the uneven areas of paving and protect the trees by providing a better growing environment for them.

In addition, measures are proposed that will control the rate that water runs off the site. This is in line with current legislation and will provide the following benefits:

  • Reduce flooding in times of extreme rainfall
  • Clean the water before it leaves the site
  • Provide some biodiversity and amenity benefit (new planters will be installed)

The appearance of the scheme will remain very similar to the current situation although there will be some minor changes in level and some new drains installed. Several planters will be installed at the lower ‘street’ level and these will support native ‘wetland’ plants that will flower during the summer.

Purpose of the Engagement

To share the plans with the public and raise awareness of the proposed scheme.

Ways to give your views

Display boards available to view at Rhymney Library from 1st - 31st May 2024.

Engagement Events at Rhymney Library on;

Wednesday 8th May, 10am-12pm

Wednesday 15th May 2024, 4pm-6pm

Share your thoughts using the ideas board below.

Expected Outcomes

Based on your feedback, we will proceed with the scheme to reduce the risk of surface water flooding on Rhymney High Street. Rhymney is more vulnerable to surface water flooding than 95% of communities in Wales. Our scheme seeks to slow the flow of water and install drainage which is less likely to become blocked. The scheme is set to be funded by the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund.

Many residents raised issues with the trees along the High Street. Here is some more information on those trees and their importance to the High Street.

Rhymney is a conservation area which places additional protections on trees in the area. The trees along the High Street are inspected regularly. They were inspected in August 2024, August 2023, March 2021, August 2020, and August 2018.

There are 16 plane trees and 5 lime trees on Rhymney High Street. All trees are early-aged trees in good condition. They are two very suitable species for growing in an urban street setting. They are relatively disease-resistant, adept at coping with air pollution, and robust at withstanding regular cyclical pruning maintenance. They are of high amenity value, and that value will increase significantly as the trees become fully mature and provide an increased canopy cover (and the associated shading) in a district of the county borough that is under-represented in terms of valuable canopy cover, helping to mitigate the worst aspects of ongoing climate change.

Typical residents’ complaints such as low canopies, encroaching branches, obscured street lighting or street furniture, are being resolved as they occur. The trees have been appropriately managed for their species, their setting and with the long-term management objective of raising the canopy to above eaves level. Additionally, some root pruning has been undertaken when pavement repairs have been required, in conjunction with the Highways department.

Tree growth takes time. When the trees were younger they required more interventions to formatively prune them so that when they reach maturity they will make an excellent contribution to the townscape here, benefitting the residents, business owners and visitors, and reinforcing the high-quality built environment – as recognised by the High Street's Conservation Area status conferred under the Planning legislation.

Where CCTV cameras on buildings are obscured by tree canopies, or street lighting, or any other structure is becoming physically encroached – such as street signage or a satellite dish on the gable wall of the adjacent building, then those issues rightly warrant maintenance – which we have and will continue to undertake.

Other seasonal issues – such as falling leaves, or seeds, etc. – do not warrant additional maintenance, as those are not actionable legal nuisances. These should be addressed by the necessary regime of street cleansing works at the relevant time of year. The Council’s website aims to explain this to residents and elected Members at the tree-related FAQs found at Caerphilly - Caerphilly County Borough 

Colleagues responsible for trees are aware of, and have contributed professional expertise to, the plans for Rhymney High Street, including the footway and Sustainable Drainage schemes around the trees at this location. As regards sustainable drainage and flood management,  trees make a significant contribution to mitigating flash flooding – another valuable reason for tree retention here.

Given the Council’s policies for managing the climate emergency, for addressing the nature crisis and for safeguarding the environment for future generations, there is more reason to retain these assets than there are to have them removed.