£5.75m for flood defence scheme

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Funding of £5.75m to build a flood defence scheme for the Conwy valley is being approved by Wales' Environment Minister later.

Over 40 properties in the villages of Llanrwst and Trefriw were hit twice by floods in 2004 and 2005.

The scheme will be overseen by the Environment Agency Wales.

It includes permanent and temporary defences at Llanrwst, a new embankment at Trefriw and will reduce the risk of flooding to more than 90 homes.

The Environment Agency said the floods of 2004 and 2005 had been assessed as one-in-30-year events.

The scheme is designed to protect against a one-in-200-year event. Work on it will begin in April.

It is likely that the impact of climate change will mean Wales will see increased flooding and we have to come to terms with this reality Jane Davidson AM

The assembly government has been working the with Environment Agency since the floods of 2004 and 2005 in response to calls by local people for new defences.

Environment Minister Jane Davidson said: "It is likely that the impact of climate change will mean Wales will see increased flooding and we have to come to terms with this reality.

"We can't stop flooding, but we can attempt to alleviate its impact on our communities.

"We are determined to help communities to protect their vulnerable areas in the best way possible.

"This scheme will make a huge difference to the lives of local people who know only too well the effects of flooding."

Without intervention, it is forecast that the frequency of flooding will increase and over the long term it is estimated that economic damage to the area could amount to more than £6.6m.

Ms Davidson will also announce £30m in European funding to support flood and coast risk management projects throughout Wales.