In a timely question to the First Minister, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has urged the Welsh Government to engage with communities to help identify at-risk infrastructure points, as well as consider introducing a contingency fund to support local authorities in the aftermath of recurring damage following stormy weather.
The intervention comes further to Janet’s letters to the Leader of Conwy County Borough Council and the Welsh Government's Minister for Climate Change, yesterday, to review what assessment of the damage sustained to the Llanfairfechan coastal path and sea wall has been undertaken and what funding support will be made available.
Commenting outside of the Siambr, Janet said:
“Last weekend, towns and communities across Wales sought to steel themselves against the torrid onslaught of stormy weather once again, with the Llanfairfechan coastal path and sea well sustaining damage for the second time in two weeks.
“It proves the finding of the third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment that more action is needed to address the risk of climate change impacts, especially more frequent flooding and coastal erosion, causing damage to vital and protective infrastructure.
“Although I commend Conwy County Borough Council for taking pre-emptive measures by closing the floodgates, this case underlines why Welsh Government need to review their engagement with communities to identify at-risk infrastructure points and consider introducing a contingency fund to support local authorities in the aftermath of such recurring damage.”
In June, maps produced by Climate Central, found that the Conwy Valley near Llanrwst is at risk of an increasing number of flooding events as a direct result of climate change. Coastal tourism ventures and parts of Snowdonia will also be vulnerable, they show.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
