Committee criticises lack of urgency over coastal erosion

11 May 2010

The Welsh Government needs to act quicker in managing coastal erosion and tidal flooding across Wales, according to a new report from the National Assembly for Wales

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee found that while work on assessing the problems had begun in 2007 with the New Approaches Programme (NAP), it appeared little progress had been made in taking that work on.

NAP was designed to manage a radical change in the way authorities approach coastal erosion from the costly defence-orientated approach involving man-made barriers and walls to a more ‘risk-based approach’.

That approach recognised that while in some areas barrier strengthening was necessary in protecting vital infrastructure such as major transport, communications and utility links, a softer more sustainable approach will be necessary in other areas.

Options included beach re-nourishment, where sand is used to raise the height of a beach and, more radically, managed retreat, where land is surrendered to reduce the impact of wave action on defences built further inland.

Chair of the Committee Jonathan Morgan said: “While the Committee was certainly encouraged by some of the policies and options it heard for protecting our coastline, it was frustrated to hear about the lack of progress towards implementing them.

“There are organisations and authorities waiting for a steer from the Welsh Government but the sands of time are running out.

“People on the Gwent levels and Cardiganshire and Clywd coastlines can’t afford to wait and watch the water encroach on their homes and businesses, they need to know what is going to be done to help them.

“The Welsh Government must now tell these people exactly which bits of the New Approaches Programme were taken on in other ways and what plans are in place.”