Wales to Build New Coastal Defenses

Construction work is set to start on coastal risk management works as part of a £150 million program of investment over three years across Wales, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths announced today.

The Coastal Risk Management Program allocates funding for schemes to reduce risk to over 18,000 properties through projects to repair, replace and create new coastal defense systems.

Coastal schemes due to start this coming year include: strengthening existing defenses at East Rhyl; sea wall strengthening and maintenance at Aberavon; and construction of setback defenses at Y Felinheli.

In addition, over the next 12 months more than £50 million will be invested in flood and coastal erosion risk management activities across Wales. This includes a capital program of £27 million for new schemes, maintenance of existing assets and the development of future schemes; as well as a revenue program of nearly £25 million.

The funding will support the completion of schemes at Beaumaris, Llanfair Talhaiarn and Talgarth, as well as commence construction works at Llansannan, Llanmaes, Newport and Welshpool.

Minister Lesley Griffiths will announce the program of funding for flood prevention and coastal risk management during an Oral Statement in the Senedd today.

The Minister also confirmed funding of more than £2.8 million for local authorities and NRW to develop future schemes to improve protection and resilience around Wales, while a further £1 million will be set aside for the Small Scale Works Grant, which allows Local Authorities to undertake minor schemes and maintenance works to benefit communities.

To provide high level advice and identify best practice on flood and coastal risk management matters, a new statutory Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee for Wales has been established.

In addition, a new National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management will also be consulted on later this year. This will have a strong focus on information and delivery as well as encouraging natural flood risk management.