The Welsh Government is making nearly three quarters of a million pounds available to help reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in Little Haven.
The village of Little Haven, in Pembrokeshire, has been regularly affected by both fluvial and tidal flooding, with the most recent event in January 2015.
The flooding is caused by shingle building up and blocking a stream from flowing out under a road bridge onto the beach. Severe storms also cause flooding with water flowing over the existing sea defences.
The funding being announced today by the Welsh Government will contribute 85% towards the cost of construction of the flood alleviation scheme, a grant value of £729,348 towards the total cost of £858,057.
The Little Haven flood alleviation scheme will include:
- placing shingle in front of the existing defences to alleviate any overtopping,
- installing a short length of box culvert to extend the outfall down the beach beyond the shingle bank,
- raising the current sea defences,
- replacing lost shingle, restoring the profile of the beach.
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:
“I am pleased to confirm the Welsh Government will provide nearly three quarters of a million pounds of funding to help protect Little Haven from flooding. This will provide reassurance to all those who live and work in, or visit this popular village.
“This financial year we are committed to investing almost £55million in flood risk management to reduce risk to homes and businesses across Wales and we are delivering on our promise.”
Pembrokeshire County Council is providing the remaining 15 per cent of the funding. Its Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Huw George, welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement. He added:
“We are pleased that we will now be able to proceed with this scheme in order to address the flooding concerns of a number of Little Haven residents.”