1. Will the Minister make a statement on the recent flooding in the Pontargothi area? OQ55692

Thank you. In response to the recent flooding, Natural Resources Wales have been in dialogue with trunk road officials to determine the best, long-term, sustainable solutions. It is now for NRW and south Wales trunk road authority to assess these options and, if appropriate, bring forward a scheme at this location. 

The South Wales Trunk Road Agent and Natural Resources Wales have been in correspondence with Llanegwad community council, but the problem is that there is a difference of opinion between them on the best way forward. Specifically, SWTRA has recommended a system to gather debris further up the river and NRW opposes that. So, the question that the Llanegwad council and I are asking, quite naturally, is which of the Government agencies does the Government agree with. And could we have a meeting with both agencies in order to resolve this issue for local people in the Pontargothi area?

Well, I'd be very happy to have a meeting, if there is that difference of opinion, to certainly hear both sides' views. I've increased the funding available, so, if NRW want to bring forward a scheme, I'd be very happy to look at that. This is something we need to look at in the not too distant future. So, yes, I would be very happy to have a meeting.