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Further storm defence improvements needed, says report Further storm defence improvements needed, says report
(about 2 hours later)
Further work is needed to improve Wales' resilience to storms if the challenge of extreme weather is to be met, a report has said.Further work is needed to improve Wales' resilience to storms if the challenge of extreme weather is to be met, a report has said.
Severe weather this year had "seriously tested" coastal defences, said the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) review.Severe weather this year had "seriously tested" coastal defences, said the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) review.
It highlighted six priority areas of improvement including investment, community support, and developing local flood plans.It highlighted six priority areas of improvement including investment, community support, and developing local flood plans.
Repair work in some of the worst affected areas has already begun.Repair work in some of the worst affected areas has already begun.
A previous report released earlier this year assessing the damage caused by the worst storms in decades showed the vast majority of Wales' defences and the emergency responses had performed well.A previous report released earlier this year assessing the damage caused by the worst storms in decades showed the vast majority of Wales' defences and the emergency responses had performed well.
But the latest review, commissioned by the Welsh government, said important work to further improve Wales' resilience to storms was needed if the country was to meet the challenge of extreme weather expected in future.But the latest review, commissioned by the Welsh government, said important work to further improve Wales' resilience to storms was needed if the country was to meet the challenge of extreme weather expected in future.
It made 47 recommendations including that the Welsh government invests more on flood forecasting and on responses to floods and defences.It made 47 recommendations including that the Welsh government invests more on flood forecasting and on responses to floods and defences.
It also called for an open debate on which areas could be defended in the long term, as well as those which may not be able to be protected from the sea.It also called for an open debate on which areas could be defended in the long term, as well as those which may not be able to be protected from the sea.
Flood defences
Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies said: "Scientific evidence suggests that these sorts of weather events will only become more frequent, so it is vital that we keep working to improve not only the resilience of our coast but also our response to severe weather incidents when they occur."Natural Resources Minister Alun Davies said: "Scientific evidence suggests that these sorts of weather events will only become more frequent, so it is vital that we keep working to improve not only the resilience of our coast but also our response to severe weather incidents when they occur."
Since the winter storms NRW workers have been repairing flood defences in places such as Porthcawl in Bridgend county and Amroth and Newgale in Pembrokeshire. Since the winter storms more than £10m has been given by the Welsh government for repair work.
The work also included repairing a 50m breach in defences at Llanbedr, in Gwynedd, which has been completed in the past few weeks.
Since the storms the Welsh government has given £10m to help repair damaged defences and support repair work to tourism and businesses.
A further £855,000 went to fix damaged sections of the Wales Coast Path and to regenerate damaged parts of Aberystwyth.
The Ceredigion town was particularly badly hit with its promenade battered by huge waves and strong winds in January and February.