HUNDREDS of Flintshire homes are set to benefit from over £850,000-worth of funding for flood alleviation projects which has been confirmed by the Welsh Government.

In November of last year, Storm Babet brought widespread flooding to north Wales with over 100 properties flooded in Flintshire alone.

During this period, more than 20 roads were temporarily closed, more than 1,650 sandbags were delivered to those in need, 183 assets were cleared/jetted and several ditches and water courses were cleared.

A rest centre to support those evacuated from their homes was set up at County Hall in Mold and council officers provided eight individuals with hotel accommodation over the weekend.

Minister for Climate Change Julie James MS has this week announced the publication of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Programme for 2024 -2025.

She said that 'given the enormous pressure on public sector resources' at this time, combined with unprecedented construction inflation, this has been 'one of the most challenging programmes' of recent years.

Last year, the Welsh Government made over £75m available to Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) and it will do the same this year.

It is maintaining record levels of investment as it aims to continue to deliver on its commitment to reduce flood risk to over 45,000 properties.

The government says it will invest £34m capital funding in new schemes throughout Wales.

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A full breakdown and map of this investment has been published on their website and shows that the following funding will be provided to Flintshire:

  • £801,629 to Natural Resources Wales Sandycroft.
  • £30,000 to Broughton and Bretton Flood Resilience Plan.
  • £30,000 to Sandycroft Flood Resilience.

Julie James MS said: "The prolonged period of wet weather we have experienced across Wales this winter has provided yet another reminder as to why this investment is necessary.

"We are in the midst of a climate emergency and our atmosphere is heating up and retaining more moisture. Despite international efforts, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.

"NRW and local authorities work tirelessly to develop new schemes, provide warnings, respond to incidents and maintain vast numbers of assets across Wales. A great deal of our flood risk management infrastructure is invisible. It might be an underground culvert, a small grass embankment in a park, or swale by a road. Every asset requires monitoring and maintenance.

"We are also providing NRW with £800k to carry out capital maintenance works at Sandycroft, Flintshire, reducing the risk to more than 200 properties in a community which experienced significant flooding in October 2023.

"At a time of challenging budgets and accelerating climate change, this programme demonstrates our commitment to investing in flood risk management, keeping our communities safe and adaptable for generations to come."

In response to the Welsh Government’s announcement of funding for flood alleviation projects, Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant said: “This is announcement is the culmination of months of work by myself, residents affected, Flintshire Council and Natural Resources Wales. I am of course delighted that such a significant sum has been made available to provide much needed flood alleviation work.

"The challenge now is to get the work completed as quickly as possible to deliver peace of mind to residents in these communities.”