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Friday, 1 December, 2000, 07:32 GMT
Flood victims poll tax warning
Public meeting in Ruthin
Around 200 people attended an initial meeting
Victims of flooding in a north Wales town have warned they will consider withholding payment of their council tax if no work is undertaken to control the River Clwyd.

A number of residents in Ruthin have witnessed their homes being flooded up to three times in as many years and they blame the local authority for failing to get to grips with the problem.

The centre of Ruthin has always been vulnerable to flooding with the River Clwyd running right through it.

But residents feel not enough is being done by Denbighshire council to find a long-term solution.

About 80 residents attended a meeting on Thursday night to set up an action group.

Flooding in Ruthin
Ruthin was hit by severe flooding
Many were frustrated and angry at what they saw as the authority's inability to learn from past mistakes.

Some suggested that if the council failed to take on board their views, withholding their council tax might be the only option.

But organisers of the meeting stressed the importance of working with the council.

A committee was formed and members will be hoping to talk with council officers early next week.

The campaign follows a BBC Wales report which highlighted that flood-blighted areas could see property prices fall by 10%.

Mwrog Street in Ruthin was badly affected in the floods, with some properties left under several feet of water.

The town of Ruthin suffered some of the worst of the floods which hit Britain last month.

Some areas of the town were severely flooded twice in a fortnight.

Denbighshire Council has put the overall bill for the flooding at around £5m.

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See also:

13 Nov 00 | Wales
Assembly agrees to floods aid
12 Nov 00 | Wales
RSPCA in dramatic sheep rescue
13 Nov 00 | Wales
Flooding bill runs into millions
10 Nov 00 | Wales
Millions announced for flood defences
08 Nov 00 | Wales
River levels ease but rains continue
30 Oct 00 | Wales
Storms wreak chaos around Wales
27 Nov 00 | UK
Autumn breaks wet weather records
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