2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:31 pm on 3 November 2020.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 2:31, 3 November 2020

Thank you, Llywydd. Can I call for two statements from the Welsh Government please, business Minister? The first is in relation to the recent Natural Resources Wales report into their response to flooding last year. You'll know that the report identified some significant shortcomings in the Natural Resources Wales response to the floods that were caused by storms Ciara, Dennis and George. And there were many in my constituency that were affected by some of those shortcomings, unfortunately. Many people will recall that there's a community in Llanfair Talhaiarn that suffered flooding twice in as many years and, unfortunately, had not seen significant improvements in its flood defences, even though they were promised back in 2012. So, I think it is important that we have an update from the Minister responsible for the environment on what action she is now going to take to make sure that Natural Resources Wales are able to step up to the mark on behalf of those communities that felt the brunt of those shortcomings, and, unfortunately, suffered significant losses and interruption to their lives because of the flooding that took place. 

Can I also call for a statement from the Minister responsible for transport in relation to safe cycling? There have been a number of incidents in the past few months in my own constituency of individuals being hit by cyclists, sometimes using electric-powered bikes, but often cyclists under their own power and speed, on the coastal path in particular, on the promenade in Colwyn Bay, and indeed, here in Kinmel Bay, in the community in which I live. Clearly, it's not acceptable for people to be going too fast in areas that are shared with pedestrians, and this is a matter that must be given better attention, I think, in the future. 

So, can I ask for a statement on both of those things, so that we can avoid unnecessary injury in future to individuals who've been hit by cyclists? Thank you.