New North Wales flood defence proposals welcomed

Jun 3 2010 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

A NEW flood management strategy could herald a step in the right direction to protect the North Wales coast.

Areas between Abergele and Point of Ayr are some of the most “at risk” areas in the UK.

This includes Towyn and Kinmel Bay, the largest community at risk of flooding in the whole of Wales.

The Tidal Clwyd Flood Risk Management Strategy was compiled and published by the Environment Agency and recommends that significant improvements should be made to flood defences in the area.

It could also end fears that people living in “at risk” areas may have to abandon their properties in the future.

AM Darren Miller has commended the report, saying it is high time further work is done to protect people living in Towyn and Kinmel Bay.

“For some time now there have been suggestions that home owners in low-lying flood risk areas such as Towyn and Kinmel Bay would have to abandon their properties to the sea. This report knocks those ideas on the head,” he claimed.

“Flooding is always devastating and no-one who experienced the flooding in Towyn 20 years ago wants to see history repeating itself.”

Mr Millar added: “The increasing anxiety regarding flood risk in the area must be addressed and the sooner a long term strategy is in place to do this the better.

“I welcome the report and its contents. It is another step in the right direction following the improvement works to flood defences which was announced earlier in the year.”

In February conservationists and environmental experts joined forces to highlight the threats and ways of tackling climate change in North Wales – 20 years after the flooding of Towyn and Kinmel Bay.

Led by Cllr Stuart Anderson, a Conwy county councillor, a group visited sea defences in Towyn before observing the Foryd Harbour development and Clwyd Estuary, due to undergo £644,000 of embankment improvements.

The cash injection came from Environment Agency Wales.

ian.hughes