15. Will the Minister make a statement on the actions being taken to stop rivers flooding? OAQ(5)0038(ERA)

In my 28 June statement, I set out this Government’s approach and priorities for flood and coastal risk management. We are investing £55 million this year on reducing risk and maintaining our existing assets. This includes major work in St Asaph, Boverton, Risca, Newport and Talybont in Gwynedd.

First of all, Minister, can I highlight the success of the floodplain in Ynysforgan, which is not only in my constituency but is also half a mile away from where I live? It’s an area that used to be under an awful lot of flooding over a period of time, but that has now stopped because the floodplain has worked so successfully. Are there plans to bring the floodplains on to other rivers, so they can have the benefit that we’ve got in Ynysforgan?

I thank Mike Hedges. It’s always really good to receive positive feedback on how our flood schemes are performing, and I think the £7 million Swansea scheme is an example of how flood investment can bring multiple benefits, and, certainly, having looked at it, it brings benefits for biodiversity, for instance, and amenity improvements.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary.

Roedd honno’n batrwm o sesiwn gwestiynau.