The money is a record-breaking investment and part of a £214M fund for flood schemes put in place as part of a co-operation agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.
It will be given to Risk Management Authorities and will support over 250 different schemes currently at various stages of development, from outline business case to construction. If all of the schemes are brought to fruition, they will provide protection for over 45,000 properties.
The biggest single chunk of the funding has gone to the Stephenson Street flood scheme in Liswerry, Newport, which has received £9.7M. The project is being managed by Natural Resources Wales and will see contractor Alun Griffiths bolstering parts of the existing 1350m flood embankment along the eastern riverbank and constructing new flood walls, a section of highway and a flood gate. It will reduce flood risk to over 2,000 properties.
Other multi-million pound grants include improvement of coastal defences at Rhyl Central, which will protect 755 properties, and replacement flood defence barriers from Rover Way to Lamby Way in Cardiff, which will protect 2,530 properties.
Welsh minister for climate change Julie James said: “There can be no doubt that this investment is required.
“Recent reports by the International Panel on Climate Change, and the UK Climate Change Committee have reiterated the need for continued investment in mitigation, adaptation and resilience to respond to global warming challenges.
“We know that the impact of flooding would have been worse, were it not for our network of defences and the tireless work of our Risk Management Authorities.
“That is why we continue to provide record levels of investment, to provide our Risk Management Authorities with the means to construct and maintain the infrastructure we rely on to keep our communities safe from the challenges posed by climate change.”
Plaid Cymru designated member Siân Gwenllian said: “This record investment is one important strand of work being progressed through the Co-operation Agreement to protect communities, homes and business across Wales.
“As our climate changes, the chances of floods has increased and in recent years we have all seen the awful impact this can have on people’s lives.
“As well as taking action today to strengthen flood defences, we are also working together with a view to the medium to long term. Alongside confirmation of funding for flood defences for 2023-24, we have commissioned Professor Elwen Evans to conduct an independent review into Section 19 and NRW flooding and the National Infrastructure Commission is looking at how the nationwide likelihood of flooding can be minimised by 2050.”
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