Climate

Carolyn Thomas calls for national flooding plan

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2024

A SENEDD member recalled her family’s own experience of the devastating impact of flooding as she called for a national resilience plan.

Warning of more frequent monsoon-like rainfall, Carolyn Thomas told the chamber the first time her home was impacted she was woken in the early hours.

She said: “A neighbour wanted to alert me to the fact our pet rabbit had drowned, so we could remove him from the run before our children woke up.

“I was shocked to see a river of water pouring off the highway down our drive, swelling into the garage, and water falling down the steps in the garden, where the force knocked over a brick wall to rejoin the stream at the back of our garden.

“It was devastating for the children and for all of us. And this was because of a blocked culvert on private land further up the road, and it could have been prevented.”

Ms Thomas said it happened again during October’s storms as the culvert was not cleared.

She told MSs: “A neighbour has been out of her property for approximately five months now, staying in a hotel over Christmas, nowhere to cook, nowhere to wash up. Her daughter’s a nurse who’s also been struggling, and she’s desperate to have her home back.”

The Labour backbencher, who was elected to represent North Wales in 2021, warned that too often there is confusion and denial of responsibility.

Ms Thomas called for Natural Resources Wales to maintain a register of who owns drainage, ditches, culverts and small water courses, starting with those most impacted by flooding.

She said: “When flooding happens, it happens so quick, it’s often too late to act. The reaction is to call the council for sandbags, the fire service or police.

“Sandbags may help, but it’s often too late, and councils do not have to provide them. Many do not any more – they can’t afford to.”

Ms Thomas welcomed this week’s announcement of £34m for flood alleviation schemes.

The former deputy leader of Flintshire County Council stressed the importance of maintaining momentum as she warned that the rail network is extremely vulnerable.

She said: “If everybody knew their responsibility – whether it’s landowners or homeowners – under a national flood resilience plan, it could help prevent the devastation of flooding for communities right across Wales.”

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan called for a national flood forum for Wales, saying it is important to empower and support communities.

She said: “That national conversation is needed, but also that structure to support communities, because not everybody can actually advocate for themselves.”

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales, raised the concerns of farmers in the Conwy valley who have been working to repair the Tan Lan embankment.

“Farmers pay into the pot, but they don’t feel that they get a sufficient return,” he said.

His Plaid Cymru colleague Mabon ap Gwynfor similarly warned that farmers face an additional tax for a system that is failing them at the moment.

Mike Hedges, a Labour backbencher, who represents Swansea East, stressed that the water has to go somewhere as he raised the role of an artificial lake alongside the River Tawe.

He highlighted other actions to reduce flooding such as planting trees and shrubs, putting bends in rivers and making sure that culverts are clear.

Replying to the debate on March 20, Julie James pointed to the Welsh Government’s national strategy on flooding which draws on learning from devastating storms in 2020.

Ms James, who was climate change minister when the meeting was held, said she was interested in Heledd Fychan’s idea of a national forum for communities affected by flooding.

Précising a 400-page speech she was handed by officials, she said: “I think you need to make sure it dovetails together and isn’t just a forum to say how unhappy you are.”

Ms James, in what was her final contribution as climate minister before the reshuffle, said ministers will shortly respond to an independent review on flooding.

She added that the next climate change resilience strategy will be published in October.

Climate

Offshore wind offers ‘positive route’ for Wales’ energy future

Published

2 days ago

June 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Countryside charity says renewables must be built in the right places

A WELSH countryside charity has backed offshore wind as a major opportunity for Wales, saying it can deliver clean energy, skilled jobs and coastal regeneration without putting unnecessary pressure on rural landscapes.

CPRW, The Welsh Countryside Charity, said comments by Cabinet Minister Adam Price in support of offshore wind marked a positive direction for Wales’ renewable energy future.

The charity said offshore wind offered one of the clearest ways for Wales to meet its future electricity needs while reducing pressure for large-scale onshore developments in sensitive upland areas, peatlands, productive farmland and rural communities.

The issue has become increasingly prominent across Wales as communities respond to major renewable energy proposals, including new-generation wind turbines, pylons, substations and grid infrastructure.

CPRW said it supported the transition to renewable energy, but argued that Wales needed a planned national strategy rather than a system which left rural communities reacting to speculative applications.

The Welsh Government has also identified offshore wind as a key economic opportunity, particularly around ports, supply chains, manufacturing, maintenance, skills and long-term energy infrastructure.

Floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea is seen as especially important for south west Wales, with Milford Haven and Port Talbot both linked to future green energy and port development.

Dr Jonathan Dean, CPRW energy specialist, said: “Adam Price is making some very encouraging noises. Wales absolutely needs renewable energy, but we also need to be strategic about where it goes.

“Offshore wind has the potential to revitalise the economy in both north and south Wales, with genuine long-term service and support jobs linked to ports, maintenance, skills and supply chains.

“It can deliver clean electricity at the scale Wales needs, without forcing unnecessary trade-offs with our most valued landscapes, upland peat, rare habitats and rural communities.

“This should be the direction of travel for Wales: ambitious, strategic and offshore-led.”

CPRW said Wales must ensure that renewable energy development brings lasting benefit to Welsh communities, rather than simply exporting power and profit elsewhere.

Jonty Colchester, Chair of CPRW, said: “CPRW strongly supports the transition to renewable energy, but it must be planned properly and in the public interest.

“Offshore wind gives Wales a major opportunity to lead: creating skilled jobs, supporting coastal communities and delivering clean energy, while helping to protect the countryside and landscapes that are central to our national identity.

“We welcome the Minister’s comments and urge Welsh Government to put offshore wind, marine energy, grid modernisation and Welsh supply-chain benefit at the heart of a clear national energy strategy.”

The charity said offshore wind should sit alongside marine energy, grid upgrades and stronger community benefit arrangements.

It added that a strategic approach was needed to protect landscapes, nature and rural communities while still delivering the scale of clean power needed for the future.

CPRW, formerly known as the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales, has worked for nearly 100 years to protect rural landscapes and promote sustainable development.

Climate

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers. Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

Climate

Royal Welsh Show visitors urged to travel sustainably

Published

1 week ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

VISITORS to this year’s Royal Welsh Show are being encouraged to use public transport as organisers look to ease congestion and promote more sustainable travel.

The show takes place at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from July 20 to 23, and is expected to attract thousands of people from across Wales and beyond.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said rail and bus services would provide convenient options for showgoers, with free shuttle buses running from Builth Road railway station to the showground, which is just over a mile away.

Discounted admission

Visitors travelling on the Heart of Wales Line with a valid rail ticket will be able to buy discounted show admission tickets from conductors and ticket offices along the route.

The discounted prices are £35 for adults and £11 for children. Children under 16 can travel free by train when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Transport for Wales said rail services would connect visitors from across Wales and the borders, including routes from Cardiff through some of Wales’ most scenic countryside. TrawsCymru bus services will also provide another option for those travelling to the event.

Family activities

Transport for Wales and Network Rail will also have an interactive stand at the show, offering family-friendly rail safety activities and entertainment.

Activities will include VR headset experiences, story time sessions, badge-making classes and rail safety performances. Builth Wells Male Voice Choir is also due to visit the stand on the first day of the show.

Children under 16 travelling to the show by train on the Heart of Wales Line will be able to collect a free activity sheet on board and hand in their completed artwork at the Transport for Wales stand for a chance to win a prize.

Visitors are being urged to plan their journeys in advance through the Transport for Wales website and journey planner.

Travel encouraged:

Visitors to the Royal Welsh Show are being urged to consider rail and bus services this year (Pic: RWAS).