Plaid welcome Kidwelly flooding scheme funding

Local politicians have welcomed an announcement by the Welsh Government, achieved through the Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement, that will see the Government introduce their largest ever flood protection programme.  

 

The scheme, totalling more than £214m across Wales over three years, will see over £220,000 allocated in funding to address flooding in the Kidwelly area. £168,000 has been allocated for the 2022/3 financial year for the design and construction work on the Cae Ffynnon Culvert, with a further £60,000 earmarked for a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) of Kidwelly flooding.

 

Residents in the Ferry Road area of Kidwelly have experienced flooding on numerous occasions over recent years – particularly during heavy downfalls. In October 2021, Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales, and local County Councillor, Jeanette Gilasbey met with local residents who had been impacted by recent flooding – with the representatives going on to relay their concerns to Natural Resources Wales and Carmarthenshire County Council. 

 

The announcement made today (Tuesday 15th March) by Welsh Government Climate Change Minister Julie James MS, follows a commitment as part of the Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru to increase investment for flood management and mitigation. The Cae Ffynnon Culvert scheme would see 16 premises benefit, whilst the wider Kidwelly Strategic Outline Case could potentially benefit 9 businesses and 51 properties.

 

The Minister also confirmed an increase of £24 million in revenue funding over the next three years, which for next year will increase Natural Resources Wales’s budget by £1.5m, increase the revenue local authorities can apply for up to £225,000 per authority, and extend the current Coastal Risk Management Programme by one final year.

 

Responding to the announcement, Jeanette Gilasbey, Plaid Cymru County Councillor for Kidwelly said:

 

“I have seen first-hand the damage and distress caused by the flooding in Kidwelly, and I welcome the commitment secured through Plaid Cymru’s Cooperation agreement with the Welsh Government that will see over £220,000 allocated for potential flood protection schemes in the area.

 

“I will continue to work with local agencies and stakeholders to ensure that residents and businesses in the town are protected in future from these floods.”  

 

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales, added:

 

“As we’re all too aware, climate change sadly means our communities are at increased risk of flooding. Last year, I met with residents in Kidwelly, and I’m all too aware of their distress and the concern caused by such uncertainty locally due to flooding.

This funding secured through the Plaid Cymru Cooperation Agreement with the Welsh Government will make an important difference – helping our efforts to protect homes and businesses across Wales, including Kidwelly.

“As well as reducing our emissions as a matter of urgency, we need adapt to a changing climate in the years ahead. This extra investment is the result of Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Government working together as we face up to the major challenges posed by the climate crisis.”