Extra £2m announced for Welsh flood defence schemes

Mr Griffiths said: “We know that one in six Welsh homes is at risk of flooding. To ensure that we adapt successfully to climate change, it is vital that we manage our shores and rivers effectively.

“The £7m investment of Welsh Government and ERDF funding towards the improvements that Environment Agency Wales is making to flood defences here in Riverside is helping to safe guard 420 local properties. It is also helping to provide local jobs and much needed support to the construction industry at this difficult economic time.

“The Welsh Government remains committed to investing in flood and coastal defence work and I am delighted to announce an extra £2m to reduce the risks to vulnerable homes and businesses in the Colwyn Bay and Borth regions of North & West Wales.”

Colwyn Bay and Borth will receive £1m each for additional flood defence works. Both areas already have schemes underway with a £5m project phase currently going on in Colwyn Bay and a £12m scheme in Borth.

Mr Griffiths is announcing the additional funding as part of a visit to the Riverside area of Newport where a new £7m flood defence project is currently under construction on the River Usk. The defence system has been designed so that flood walls can be raised over time if needs be, so should “withstand climate change-related risk for the next 100 years”.

The news follows the launch of Wales’ National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management earlier this month.

Will Parsons