Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has called on the UK Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Affairs to urge the Welsh Government to adopt similar measures to those being introduced in England to protect communities from flooding.
Responding to the Statement by the Secretary of State, George Eustice MP, on the Agricultural Transition Plan, James welcomed actions being taken by the UK Government to alleviate flood risk in its Environmental Land Management scheme, and spoke of the need for similar measures in Wales.
He said:
“I thank my right hon. Friend for his statement. Will he outline the importance being placed on flood mitigation in the environmental land management scheme, and urge the Welsh Government to adopt similar measures to help protect communities such as St Asaph and Rhuddlan from flooding?”
The Secretary of State said they will be looking to use the powers in the Agriculture Act to make provision to support and financially reward farmers who may allow their land to be used in certain water catchments to protect communities from flooding.
He added: “It will be for the Welsh Government to decide their own priorities and the pace at which they detach themselves from the legacy schemes, but we believe that redirecting support in this way is the correct way to go.”
Speaking afterwards, James said:
“I am sure that communities at risk of flooding across England are extremely reassured by the measures that are to be introduced to help protect them in the future, and I would like my constituents to be granted the same assurances.
“Both Rhuddlan and St Asaph have been flooded several times over the years and residents and businesses live in fear every time there is particularly severe weather. In February this year people again had to be evacuated from their homes in St Asaph and are now concerned about the winter months ahead and the likelihood of further harsh weather conditions and consequent flooding.
“Whilst action has been taken locally to alleviate flooding in these communities, further measures are desperately needed. This partly means concluding the review into the performance of the flood defences last February and implementing recommendations. However, there is more that can be done upstream to reduce the flow of flood waters.
“The Welsh Government needs to look at what is being done to relieve flooding in England and adopt similar measures to prevent further heartache for my constituents in St Asaph and Rhuddlan, and indeed other communities across Wales at risk of flooding.”
