6. What action is the Welsh Government taking to address the risk of flooding to critical infrastructure in Wales? OAQ53441

The Welsh Government prioritises flood and coastal risk management funding on the protection of homes and communities. Whilst it also supports schemes that provide wider benefits, including protection of infrastructure, the owners of those assets are ultimately responsible for ensuring they remain resilient and fit for purpose.

Thank you for that answer, Minister, and can I put on record my thanks to the Welsh Government for the investment that it's made in flood defences in my constituency? But you will be aware that there is one particularly fragile part of the sea defences in the area of Old Colwyn, which protects the main sewerage network, the A55 trunk road, the Colwyn Bay promenade and, indeed, the north Wales railway line. We saw some dramatic storms earlier this month, which have further undermined those defences, and it's now becoming critical that they are upgraded and improved in order to protect that vital infrastructure that I just mentioned. Now, your predecessor in terms of holding the portfolio for flood defences was kind enough to visit the constituency to learn more about the concerns of Conwy County Borough Council in relation to the fragility of those defences, and I'd like to extend an invitation for you to come and visit as well, to see for yourself some of the challenges that are faced. I think what is absolutely clear is that this is going to require some leadership from the Welsh Government in terms of a commitment to bringing forward some investment in order to bring those other partners, which also have some responsibility, including the local authority, Welsh Water, national rail, et cetera, to the table. But I would be grateful if you could visit the constituency to meet with Conwy County Borough Council, some of the other partners and myself in order to explore a way forward.

The Member wrote to me at the end of January, and I wrote back to you on 13 February just clarifying that we had not provided any agreement to fund work. Because I do really think that the local authority needs to get together with the third party beneficiaries—you named Network Rail as one of them—because I really think—you know, this is a £37 million scheme; that would absolutely take up all my budget. So, I really think that the leadership really needs to come from the local authority in getting these third parties together. I know officials are having ongoing discussions also.