£21.5m funding to fix flood damage to bridges and boardwalks

Welsh Government Ministers have announced over £21.5m to help councils across the country fix flood damage to roads, bridges and boardwalks.

Porthcawl’s Rest Bay Boardwalk and Pontypridd’s Berw Bridge will both benefit from the investment, announced by Housing and Local Government Minister Julie James and Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans.

Projects being funded include:

• Rhondda Cynon Taf Council will receive £4.4m for work they are doing to tackle damage to highways, bridges, culverts and retaining walls across the authority;
• In Torfaen, £120,000 to rebuild and repair the river wall washed away at St Albans car park;
• Wrexham County Borough Council will receive £40,000 for wall, fence and footpath repairs in the Llangollen Rural Community Council area;  
• £875,000 for Newport County Council to repair flood defence damage in Bassaleg;
• In Neath Port Talbot, £718,000 for repairs to Blaengwrach River Bridge; 
• Bridgend County Council will receive £50,000 for repairs they have completed to Porthcawl’s Rest Bay boardwalk.

Julie James said:

“One year on from Storm Dennis, councils are continuing to repair the serious flood damage to roads, bridges, pavements and walls sustained in many parts of Wales.

“After our initial emergency response, we have been supporting them to carry out this ongoing repair work, which included work that needed to be done before the start of this winter to prevent further damage. I am pleased to see this funding is making a difference in communities across Wales.”

Rebecca Evans said:

“Communities in Wales were devastated by the damage caused by last year’s storms, and the Welsh Government is continuing to support local authorities with their ongoing recovery and repair work.”

Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, said: 

“Last year’s floods caused devastation to families, households and businesses across Wales – as such, I am very pleased to see this additional funding announced.

“Following the flooding seen last year, we provided more than £5m to allow for immediate repairs to flood defences. This funding will further enhance continued work with our risk management authorities to protect communities from increased risk of flooding.”