Extra cash for flood aid

Coastal areas of Wales will be helped to cope with the risks of flooding, according to a statement made by Jane Davidson, the Environment Minister yesterday, with £38 million being used from the assembly government and European funding over the next five years.

The money is being used to fight against the effects of climate change and rising sea levels, after a report commissioned by the UK Government acknowledged the need to further extend flood warning systems and increase flood risk mapping, following a study which showed that communities were not aware of flood risks.

It was reported that as many as 2.2 million people in England and Wales are at risk of heavy flooding but are not aware of this, and the £38 million will be used for raising awareness and to allow communities to be better prepared.

The lack of proper preparation by local authorities meant that the 2007 floods produced damage that was far worse than it should have been, and a London-based warning system, the first of its kind in the UK, will be set up to allow for better research and preparation for those living in high risk areas.

Some £2 million of the funds will go towards training local authority workers, such as firemen and other emergency service personnel, to better cope with the disasters and £5 million will be used for the installation of appropriate doors and windows to keep damage by the floods to a minimum.