Flood Defences

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:31 pm on 14 December 2021.

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Photo of Darren Millar Darren Millar Conservative 1:31, 14 December 2021

Thank you for that answer, First Minister. I am delighted that money is indeed being awarded to improve flood defences in Clwyd West. One of those areas that is down for improvement very soon is the coastal strip between Towyn and Kinmel Bay, which of course is extremely important as far as the visitor season is concerned, and where those coastal sea defences are protecting many thousands of properties and businesses. One of the concerns that has been raised with me about the plans, which have now been published, for the improvement of the sea defences in this area is that the plans simply aren't attractive enough for either the locals or the visitors who will be wanting to use the coastal path and the coastal belt as part of their local amenity for facilities. In addition to that, obviously, there's been a suspension of technical advice note 15 in terms of the implementation of the new technical advice note, which will afford a greater level of protection for homes and businesses in the future. What assurances can you give me, on behalf of the Welsh Government, that the people of Towyn and Kinmel Bay will get a decent level of flood protection in spite of the fact that the new technical advice note has not been implemented, and what assurances can you provide in relation to how attractive these flood defences can be, given the concerns about the fact that these are in a tourism resort area?