£56m plan to stop the erosion of the coast

THE Minister for Environment has announced a £56m programme to improve flood and coastal erosion defences and support flood risk management activities across Wales.

The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme, announced by Hannah Blythyn, has been prioritised according to risk, considering factors such as the likelihood and impact of a flood, previous events, the number of properties to benefit and the wider benefits of the scheme.

For the building phase alone, the schemes planned for 2018–19 are expected to benefit over 6,500 properties.

Local authorities and Natural Resources Wales will receive funding to deliver flood risk management schemes to protect people, properties and businesses.

Many of the schemes will also deliver wider benefits including habitat improvements, recreational benefits and reducing risk to infrastructure.

The funding will be used to complete the construction of new and existing projects, as well as scoping and designing future schemes.

The new programme was developed in collaboration with representatives from Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Welsh Local Government Association, local authorities, Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water and the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). Among the major new schemes are: Lla- nsannan and Mochdre, Conwy; Llanberis; Gwynedd; Llyn Tegid Reservoir works, Y Bala, Gwynedd and Parc yr Onnen, Aberystwyth.

The Welsh Government also announced last week plans for a new Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre, to inform decisions on coastal adaptation and potential schemes on a national basis.

Over the life of this Assembly term, the Welsh Government plans to allocate £151m of capital investment for NRW and local authorities’ flood risk activities. Together with the Coastal Risk Management Programme, this results in a potential investment of over £263m in flood and coastal schemes over the life of this Government.

The Minister said: “Flooding can have a devastating impact on the lives of those affected.

“This funding of £56m further demonstrates our commitment to reduce risk and build resilience to flooding and coastal erosion.

“We are investing in new schemes and major maintenance right across Wales.

“I have also protected NRW’s budget for flood risk management activities next financial year, as well as funding a new Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre which will improve our understanding of coastal processes and inform better decision making.

“I’m pleased to announce this ambitious programme, which will support communities and areas right across Wales who are most at risk.”