RESIDENTS of an Anglesey town devastated by floods can now look forward to getting their lives back on track as a clean-up and flood prevention works finally get under way.

Several homes and business were destroyed in Llangefni last November as the Afon Cefni burst its banks, allowing a deluge to flow through the town centre.

On Monday, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) teams were spotted on site, cutting down trees and moving large stones in order to help prevent the river from overflowing again.

Neil Bevan, who runs nearby Bevan Caravans, campaigned for a better response from NRW in tackling the flood damage.

He said: “We wanted to see a lot more effort made in terms of helping businesses get back on their feet,

“We lost so much stock during that time and I know we weren’t the only ones here who were affected, so this clean-up now is big news for Llangefni.

“I’m ecstatic that something is finally being done about this. It feels like there is a light at the end of the tunnel for us after all.”

After the floods hit last November, Neil and his wife Tracey campaigned for several months for a better response from Natural Resources Wales to help them prevent further flood damage in Llangefni.

“We felt like nothing was being done. We had been flooded and forgotten about,” he said.

“We had lost thousands of pounds worth of stock and so to see work finally get under way is a huge relief to us.”

Following a meeting held in Llangefni two weeks ago, wildlife experts visited the River Cefni to assess which sections were best to clear.

NRW began work on Afon Cefni on Monday and are expected to be there for at least a couple of weeks.

Richard Weston, flood risk analysis team leader, said: “We are currently carrying out maintenance work to help with the flow of the river.

“This involves removing debris and some larger stones from the bed and cutting back some trees and vegetation.

“We are also undertaking a project to investigate current and future flood risk in Llangefni with a view to identifying suitable longterm solutions for managing it.

“We have consulted with the local community and will continue to do so”.

Ynys Môn AM Rhun ap Iorwerth backed Mr and Mrs Bevan’s campaign.

He has voiced his pleasure that it has proved to be a success and hopes it will prevent a repeat of last year’s flooding.

“I am delighted to see that work is finally taking place on Afon Cefni,” he said.

“I have been in constant discussions with NRW, Isle of Anglesey County Council and Welsh Water on behalf of those affected last November.

“It is pleasing that steps are being taken towards preventing such drastic flooding reoccurring”.