Environment Agency Wales is planning for the next 100 years of tidal flood risk to coastal communities and businesses in northeast Wales in response to the predicted challenges that climate change will bring – and wants to hear your views.

Information boards will be on display at Rhyl Library, Museum and Arts Centre from Monday 9 November to Sunday 6 December. Other opportunities for local people to discuss their concerns with Agency flood specialists include:

Asda Kinmel Bay 12 / 13 / 14th November

Morrisons Rhyl (Marsh Road) 12 / 19 / 25th November

B&Q Rhyl (Clwyd Retail Park) 19 / 20 / 21st November

These events will give local businesses, groups, and individuals the opportunity to get involved, raise concerns they may have and put forward their own suggestions.

As highlighted in the recent report by the Wales Audit Committee, with changing weather patterns and rising sea levels forecast, tens of thousands of people live and work in an area at risk of flooding from higher tides and more extreme weather.

The area is also home to many businesses and critical infrastructure that is vital to the economic future of north Wales.

The coastline from Pensarn, near Abergele, around the Point of Ayr and down the Dee Estuary is recognised as being at risk of tidal flooding.

Since March 2009, Environment Agency Wales has worked with Local Authorities and other organisations to identify a wide range of factors to be considered in the plans.

In this next stage, the Agency needs to know what people think about the different approaches that can be taken to tackle risks of flooding now and in the future. 

It is vital that more people, especially those in local businesses and communities, have their say on developing plans to deal with the growing threat that climate change will bring to their area.

Environment Agency Wales is also working alongside the Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authorities and other key organisations as part of a larger coastal group examining the implications and solutions for coastal erosion and flooding as part of the Shoreline Management Plans.

Meic Davies, Environment Agency Wales said:

“Climate change is happening and this inevitably means that sea levels will rise and that coastal communities are placed at greater risk of flooding from the sea.

“We must agree how we can adapt, control, improve and generally prepare the area for  dealing with tidal flooding over the next 100 years.

“Input from local people is a vital part of that process. We want people to get involved and have their say in how we can work together to create a plan to combat the risks of flooding in the area that is sustainable for people, the local economy and the environment.”

While this event looks at the flood risk area of the River Clwyd Tidal range, along the coast from Pensarn near Abergele to the Point of Ayr, and the tidal low-lying land as far inland as St. Asaph. There will be further events in the following weeks looking at the River Dee Tidal range which will be advertised soon.

Last Updated ( Monday, 09 November 2009 )