Flood-hit residents in Milford Haven are helping shape the next step in Wales’ national response to flooding, as the Welsh Government strengthens support for communities before, during and after flood events.
The Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd, visited Milford Haven last week to hear directly from people affected by flooding and to see progress on the communities’ new flood defences.
Flooding is one of the clearest ways the climate and nature emergency is already being felt by people; in homes, streets, businesses and communities. During the visit, the Minister highlighted the importance of listening to people with real-life experience, as Wales strengthens the practical support available to communities facing flood risk.
The visit marked another commitment that the Welsh Government made in its first 100 days: to bring local authorities, Natural Resources Wales, emergency services and community groups together to tackle flooding as one team.
Publishing the Terms of Reference for a new Steering Group will help establish an independent Welsh Flood Forum. Public authorities, and people from responder and community organisations have been invited to join the group this week.
Once established, the Forum will support Flood Action Groups across Wales, helping communities recover in the aftermath of flooding and prepare for future flood events.
The Welsh Government is also appointing new members to the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee to contribute to Wales’ National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management.
Speaking from the site of the new defences, the Minister said:
“Meeting people in Milford Haven who’ve lived through flooding is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. As we develop the Climate and Nature Action Plan, this is exactly the kind of practical, community focused action we will build on, helping people prepare, respond and recover as the impacts of the climate and nature emergency become more visible.
“We can now start building a Forum that gives communities the support and voice they need, before, during and after a flood.
“Strengthening the leadership of our connected national flooding strategy through new committee appointments is another important part of getting this right.”
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services and Milford West Councillor, Cllr Rhys Sinnett said:
“This is a significant project for the Havens Head and Lower Priory communities. “Residents have waited many years for a long-term solution following the devastating flooding experienced in 2018, and this scheme will help protect homes, businesses and vital infrastructure while improving the area’s resilience for the future.
“We are grateful for the support of Welsh Government and our project partners in helping us move this important flood alleviation scheme forward.”
