Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths has announced around £4million grant funding for flood alleviation schemes across Wales, including almost £1 million funding to protect the village of Tal-y-bont and the A55.

The Welsh Government grant funding will be provided to local authorities to support small scale flood risk management schemes and undertake repairs to existing flood risk management infrastructure, damaged as a result of flooding in December 2015.

The funding includes c £985,000 for Gwynedd Council for a flood alleviation scheme to protect Tal-y-bont and the nearby A55, an area particularly affected by last winter’s storms.

The funding will go towards creating an overflow drainage system, as well as earth bunds, ditches and channels, which will take flood water directly into the nearby Afon Ogwen. It will also fund improvements to the existing watercourse to reduce potential blockages.

 Lesley Griffiths said:

“Flooding is an important issue for Wales and one which we take very seriously. While last winter saw unprecedented levels of rainfall, particularly in North Wales, our changing climate means it is likely such weather events will happen more frequently. It is vitally important we are able to cope with this, which is why we are committed to investing in flood risk management across Wales.”

As part of the funding, the Welsh Government is also providing almost £3million for local authorities for small scale maintenance and repair schemes. This includes repairs and upgrades of culverts, retaining walls, watercourses and drainage schemes to ensure resilient flood defences.