Up to £56 million has been made available to bolster Wales' flood and coastal defences.

The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management programme contains a number of schemes for 2018/19 which are expected to benefit over 6,500 properties during the construction phase alone.

Overall the programme has been prioritised according to risk, considering factors such as the likelihood and impact of a flood, previous events, the number of properties to benefit and the wider benefits of the scheme.

Funding will be used to complete the construction of new and existing projects, as well as scoping and designing future schemes. Key new schemes include;

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• Machynys flood defences in Llanelli

• Leckwith in Cardiff

• Tidal works to the River Cadoxton

• Llansannan and Mochdre in Conwy

• Llanberis in Gwynedd

• Llanmaes in the Vale of Glamorgan 

• Parc yr Onnen in Aberystwyth

• Llyn Tegid Reservoir works, Gwynedd

Natural Resources Wales and councils across Wales will receive funding to deliver flood risk management schemes to protect people, properties and businesses. Many of the schemes will also deliver wider benefits including habitat improvements, recreational benefits and reducing risk to infrastructure.

Announcing the programme today, 26 March, Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn said: "This funding of £56m further demonstrates our commitment to reduce risk and build resilience to flooding and coastal erosion.

"We are investing in new schemes and major maintenance right across Wales. I have also protected NRW's budget for flood risk management activities next financial year, as well as funding a new Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre which will improve our understanding of coastal processes and inform better decision making.

"I'm pleased to announce this ambitious programme, which will support communities and areas right across Wales who are most at risk from flooding and coastal erosion."

(LM/MH)