Further to her urgent intervention on the matter in December, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy - Janet Finch-Saunders MS - has criticised the Welsh Government’s assertion that “there is no clear link” to an immediate increase in flooding or erosion risk to the properties on West Shore Road, further to the damage sustained to the sea wall in Llanfairfechan.
The Member has provided a copy of the reply to the Local Authority so that appropriate next steps can be reviewed. At the time of the storm, work had already begun to fix the damage caused to the public right of way and sea wall by a previous storm on 5th October 2021, which left several properties along West Shore Road more vulnerable to flooding.
Commenting on the reply, Janet said:
“Having written to the Minister for Climate Change asking for collaboration with the Minister for Finance and Local Government to review whether a long-term and ringfenced contingency budget can be established so to financially assist local authorities when unexpected and long-term damage does occur, I was most disappointed to receive a reply that indicated that they will continue along the same reactive path.
“With these torrid storm events set to increase and place local livelihoods at risk, as outlined in the CCRA3 Report published last year, the Welsh Government needs to urgently become more proactive in their collaboration with communities.
“Whilst I acknowledge that a conversation with officials in Conwy County Borough Council has taken place to review the situation in Llanfairfechan in response to my letter, residents in the immediate area will confirm that there is general worry about the potential of flooding along the West Shore Road. These concerns have been undermined by this flippant reply.
“I will continue to work with residents and the local authority to review the situation in Llanfairfechan, and across the wider constituency, to ensure that we can steel our communities against the threat of Climate Change. Should constituents have any immediate concerns, I ask that they contact my office for assistance at the earliest opportunity.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Please find attached a copy of the letter sent in December.
- Please find attached a copy of the reply received from the Minister.
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
