Elan Valley flood museum

11.12.39am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 23rd Mar 2006

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, is backing plans to create a museum dedicated to the flooding of the Elan Valley.

Around 100 local people had to leave their homes in the Valley at the end of the nineteenth century to make way for a series of dams supplying water to Birmingham.

Ms Williams said: "The flooding of the Elan Valley was a turning point in the region's history, and a museum would help preserve this slice of our cultural heritage for future generations. I think it is entirely appropriate that Birmingham City Council has been asked if it will contribute to the project, and hope that it will give this request very serious consideration.

"The people of Birmingham have benefited hugely from the sacrifice of the people of the Elan Valley - now they have an opportunity to demonstrate that they recognise this."