The Welsh Government have announced that, despite concerns from local businesses and politicians, no flood defences will be installed along The Quay in Carmarthen, to protect local businesses from flooding.
This announcement follows a Written Question submitted to the Welsh Government’s Climate Change Minister by Samuel Kurtz MS, local Senedd Member for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire.
Businesses on The Quay on the banks of the River Towy have been repeatedly flooded in recent years, with several public meetings being held to find a resolution to resolve this matter.
Samuel Kurtz MS has claimed that the Welsh Government has “abandoned local businesses and shown a clear disregard for our communities”.
In her response to Mr Kurtz’s Written Question, Climate Change Minister Julie James MS stated that “investing in flood alleviation measures at the Quay would mean diverting funding away from high-risk communities”.
Speaking of his disappointment, Samuel Kurtz MS said:
“This is a hugely frustrating response from the Welsh Government. Every flood that occurs on The Quay has a severe impact on businesses and livelihoods; a notion that the Welsh Government appears to have scant regard for.
“I am concerned that the Welsh Government seems to be prioritising one community over another, what message does this give to those businesses whose premises are affected whenever the river bursts its banks? Flood protection should not be presented as an either-or issue by the Welsh Government.
“Whilst this response is hugely disappointing, I will continue to fight for our local businesses along The Quay in Carmarthen to ensure that they are better equipped to defend their properties against high water levels.”
