8. Short Debate: Focus on fighting floods: Explore options to strengthen the approach to reducing flood risk and the response to flood events

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:29 pm on 10 November 2021.

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Photo of James Evans James Evans Conservative 5:29, 10 November 2021

Oh, I can get through 30 seconds no problem. Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. It's lovely to see one Plaid Cymru Member here, but it's a shame that Labour have neglected this, as they have neglected it for many years. Many towns in my constituency, like Builth Wells, Penybont, Ystradgynlais, Brecon, Crickhowell—I could go on like Janet Finch-Saunders, but I won't—are suffering with flooding problems on an annual basis. Many people in those towns have told me that dredging used to be done years ago to reduce the amount of shoals in our rivers, and we never had the flooding levels that we do today. NRW say they're overstretched, they're over-bureaucratic and things can't be put through the system, so I hope the Minister will look at dredging our rivers to make sure that our towns are safe and we don't actually put people out of their homes and actually get on with dealing with the problems that people face. Diolch.