Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has this week called on the First Minister to provide assurances to the residents of Towyn and Kinmel Bay that planned flood defences will provide the level of protection needed.
He also questioned Mark Drakeford over the appearance of the new defences, highlighting concerns that have been raised with him.
The exchange followed a meeting with Conwy County Borough Councillors Geoff Corry and David Johnson in Sandy Cove, which has faced overtopping of defences in recent years.
Speaking during yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, he said:
“I am delighted that money is indeed being awarded to improve flood defences in Clwyd West. One of those areas that is down for improvement very soon is the coastal strip between Towyn and Kinmel Bay, which of course is extremely important as far as the visitor season is concerned, and where those coastal sea defences are protecting many thousands of properties and businesses.
“One of the concerns that has been raised with me about the plans, which have now been published, for the improvement of the sea defences in this area is that the plans simply aren't attractive enough for either the locals or the visitors who will be wanting to use the coastal path and the coastal belt as part of their local amenity for facilities.
“In addition to that, obviously, there's been a suspension of Technical Advice Note 15 in terms of the implementation of the new technical advice note, which will afford a greater level of protection for homes and businesses in the future.
“What assurances can you give me, on behalf of the Welsh Government, that the people of Towyn and Kinmel Bay will get a decent level of flood protection in spite of the fact that the new technical advice note has not been implemented, and what assurances can you provide in relation to how attractive these flood defences can be, given the concerns about the fact that these are in a tourism resort area?”
The First Minister agreed that “the work needs to be done sympathetically”.
With regards TAN 15, he said, “The delay will allow us to work further with local authorities on the detailed information that lies behind the policy, and then it will need to do what Darren Millar says, in making sure that it protects those communities that otherwise would be at risk.”
Cllr Geoff Corry of Kinmel Bay said:
“Towyn and Kinmel Bay form one of the largest communities in Wales at risk of flooding so it is crucial that any new coastal defences reflect the increasing risks we face as a result of climate change and sea level rises and are not constructed to a lower standard based on outdated data.”
Towyn’s Cllr David Johnson said:
“As a key visitor destination we need to ensure that our coastal defences are as attractive and accessible as other major holiday resorts so that locals and visitors can enjoy them. The current plans are far from achieving this aim.”
