Emergency repairs were due to start on Wednesday, December 12 on a failed retaining wall and footpath along the river Tarell in Brecon.

Gwttws Footpath, which runs along the river behind Newton Green in the town, was ripped apart by the heavy rainfall and high water levels caused by Storm Callum in mid October.

The Parc Tarell housing estate, which is only metres away from the river, has since only been protected from the river by an earth bund as well as what is left of the footpath and the wall.

The footpath and its supporting wall made up the first defence against possible flood damage and to protect the bund from being washed away.

The remaining path, which has since been cordoned off by Dyfed-Powys Police, is now leaning into the water with huge cracks running through the tarmac.

Residents have since feared that the river will subsequently destroy the defence and flood the site in Llanfaes if the river bursts its banks again.

The repair works will take around two weeks to complete but they could be suspended depending on the water levels and the weather.

A spokesman from Powys County Council said: “Emergency holding repair works are planned to be carried out on Gwttws Path in Brecon after it was damaged during Storm Callum in October.

“As part of the works, gabion baskets will be lowered into the water to ensure the path does not deteriorate any further during the winter months.

“The council is hoping to carry out permanent repair works next year when the water level drops and has the necessary permits from Natural Resources Wales to work within the watercourse.”

Residents had feared for the safety of the path before the flooding as it was already cracked and there was a previous failed attempt to repair it by Powys council.

Fears over the site date back as far as January 2003 when the 37 houses, which met strong opposition from Llanfaes residents at the time, were still being planned.

The then Environment Agency said in 2003 it was satisfied the field could be developed for housing without being at risk of flooding or increasing the risk of flooding downstream.

The flood bund was installed in Gwttws Field, now Parc Tarell, in 1979 after the river burst its bank flooding Llanfaes.