£2.8m of cash will help to boost flood defences
AUTHORITIES across Wales will receive a total of £2.8m to repair flood defences damaged during recent storms, and a capital boost in funding to help them build more defence schemes this year.
According to the Welsh Government the funds are in addition to the £8m which has already been provided.
Lesley Griffiths, the minister for environment, energy and rural affairs, announced the new combined package of support, to help support those communities recovering from recent winter flooding who are now also facing the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – with many people having to self-isolate in homes affected by the recent floods. The Welsh Government will also change some of the rules in its Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme (FCERM) and the Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP).
They claim this will allow for more pro-active work to be put into planning future flood defences, against the backdrop of recent winter storms and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the changes made to the programmes include:
■ Increasing funding support for preparing and designing new flood schemes to 100%, to allow authorities to put their ideas forward, and develop projects to reduce flood and coastal risk;
■ Increasing the grant rate for the construction of coastal defences to 85%, from the current 75%;
■ Allowing councils and Natural Resources Wales to apply for programme funding all year round, if capital remains available;
■ Investing £4.3m in smaller defence and maintenance works for local authorities;
■ Allocating £1m to the delivery of natural flood management (NFM) schemes, on a two-year pilot basis, funded 100% by Welsh Government; and,
■ Revisit planned schemes which may require further partnership support.
Ms Griffiths said: “We know many affected by the ongoing pandemic will be living in homes damaged or otherwise affected by the recent winter floods – including having to selfisolate in them.
“That’s why it’s vital we do what we can to give people the confidence they need that support is available, and we continue to advise all those who have not yet received support to make themselves known to their local authorities.
“As well as providing further funds for repairs to defences damaged by floods, we also want to encourage authorities to develop more schemes to manage the long-term risk of flooding and bring peace of mind to their communities.
“Our support will help reduce the financial burden many authorities face as they look to rebuild existing flood defences and plan for future flood and coastal work.”
The revised rules will allow Risk Management Authorities to submit more plans for flood defence schemes; support longer-term planning of new schemes; increase the funding available for their design and construction, and allow RMAs to plan a wider range of schemes.
Some of the schemes where funds for repairs have already been earmarked include:
■ Nearly £100,000 for Bridgend council for the repair of culverts, paths and tidal areas;
■ £350,000 to Conwy council for specific repairs in Llanrwst, Kinmel Bay and Bron Derw;
■ £250,000 to Gwynedd council to carry out emergency repairs to Barmouth North Promenade;
■ £450,000 for Rhondda Cynon Taff council for culvert inlets and screens, along with further inspection and repair works to other defence measures;
■ £308,000 to Anglesey council for repairs to drainage and culverts.