RESIDENTS and shopkeepers in Blackwood are celebrating after the local authority agreed to measures to stop a road flooding.

A new trash screen and a primary screen will be placed on a culvert which, when blocked, floods houses in Wesley Road as well as the shops adjacent to the area. Residents say the culvert often becomes blocked and has led to serious flooding three times in the last two years.

In a report submitted by Steve Hodges, manager of Network Operations which now deals with all land drainage matter for the authority, it was revealed the water course had been added to the severe weather culvert inspection route.

This will mean the culvert will be subject to more frequent inspections which will help detect any blockages much earlier.

Work is expected to get under way on the improvements as soon as possible. The 58-name petition that led to the measures was presented to the council on October 11.

It stated: "We, the undersigned, are appalled at the lack of cleaning at the above mentioned culvert.

"The culvert becomes blocked and often overflows in heavy rain, flooding the houses in Wesley Road, adjacent shops and Church."

Shirley Hart, 66, (pictured) of Wesley Road, said the issue had united residents and business over their shared problem.

She said: "The frequent flooding has angered many residents and businesses on the High Street over the past few years so it is about time something was done. "I hope this will now be the end of our problems - and I think it will as long as the kids don't damage the new measures."

The petition arose after the culvert flooded on July 4 of this year for the third time in two years.

Caerphilly councillor Kevin Etheridge, who submitted the petition to the council, said: "I am pleased new trash screens and a primary screen will be placed on this watercourse and included on a severe weather inspection routine."

He added that the measures were necessary in the interests of residents' safety in the area.