Environment Agency pledges Dee estuary flood action

Welsh government says it is spending £47m on tackling flood risks

Environment Agency Wales officials have drawn up plans to keep flood waters at bay along the Dee estuary in Flintshire and Conwy over the next century.

Proposals include phasing improvements to flood defences on the coast between Sealand, near Chester, and Pensarn, near Abergele.

EAW says its tidal flood risk strategy is designed to lower the risk of flooding to more than 6,000 houses.

Welsh government is spending £47m on tackling flood risk over the next year.

EAW's Dee Flood Risk Management Strategy follows consultation with the public and council officials covering Queensferry, Connah's Quay, Flint and Holywell.

David Edwell from EAW said the organisation will provide the Welsh government with information on the investment required to realise the plans.

"We'll be liaising closely with our partners such as the local authorities and landowners to ensure the defences are maintained and improved as necessary, and that any new development takes the flood risk management strategy into account."

100,000 waders

"As well as looking at how we can improve flood defences, we'll also be helping people to adapt to future flood risk so they are prepared for it and know how to respond."

The plan says as the Dee estuary is recognised for its nature conservation, planned realignment of embankments at Greenfield, Flint and Sealand will make space for water to maintain the "special quality" of the estuary which is home to over 100,000 waders and 20,000 water fowl.

It adds: "Where we are unable to provide a built solution to manage flood risk, we may provide certain properties with flood proofing products to help them adapt to flooding.

"These help the consequences of flooding to be safely managed. We will also make sure that existing flood warning areas remain in place."

Plans over the next 20 years include improving defences at Connah's Quay and raising existing defences at Greenfield and Talacre.

The report is currently being considered by Welsh government.

It said it was investing over £150m in flood and coastal erosion risk management during the life of the assembly.

A friends groups has been helping to improve access to Greenfield Dock