Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has welcomed an acknowledgement by the Welsh Government that improvements must be made to flood defences which protect vital parts of the North Wales transport infrastructure.

In response to a question by Darren Millar in the Senedd this week, the Welsh Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development confirmed that his officials are working with other stakeholders in an attempt to address concerns over flood defences in Old Colwyn, which have taken a battering from successive stormy winters.

Whilst improvements to flood defences have been made in other parts of the Bay of Colwyn, the Old Colwyn defences, which protect vital parts of the A55 trunk road and the Chester to Holyhead railway line, remain vulnerable.

Speaking after the exchange with the Minister, Darren said,

"I am pleased that the Environment Minister has acknowledged the need to invest in improvements in flood defences in Old Colwyn - the defences are critical to the North Wales transport infrastructure and their failure could have catastrophic consequences.

"I will continue to monitor progress on this issue to ensure that local concerns are addressed."

Notes:

National Assembly for Wales, Record of Proceedings, 16th May 2012
Questions to the Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development

Darren Millar:

You will be aware that, of all the constituencies in Wales, mine is at the greatest risk of flooding given the number of homes and businesses that can be affected. Vital infrastructure in the area is also protected by flood defences, particularly in Colwyn Bay, where the sea defences afford protection to both the North Wales Coast Railway line and the A55 trunk road. There have been improvements in flood protection in Colwyn Bay, but not along the Old Colwyn part of the coast. What work is your Government doing to address the problems in Old Colwyn, particularly with the other agencies that might need to be involved to solve that ongoing problem?

John Griffiths:

I very much understand the points made by Darren Millar. It is indeed the case that, as well as protecting businesses and residences, our sea defences protect vital infrastructure—roads, railways and some of our sewage and water infrastructure as well. It is therefore vital that we maintain those defences and, when necessary, replace them and, beyond that, build new defences. That takes a great deal of resource, and, as Members know, there is not a great deal of capital available at the moment. We look to lever in moneys to help with the necessary work wherever possible. My officials are in contact with the local authority, the Environment Agency, and the owners of the infrastructure that the Member mentions.