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Friday, 10 November, 2000, 19:35 GMT

Millions announced for flood defences


Paul Murphy
Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy has announced £3m of extra government money to help improve Wales's flood defences.

News of the cash - which will be made available over a four-year period - was made during a tour of north-east Wales on Friday.

And exactly how that money will be spent will rest with the Welsh Assembly.

Last weekend, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott announced the government was to give £51m to strengthening flood defences in England.

This has left some people living in north-east Wales believing that the extra funds for Wales are not enough.

In Flintshire alone, the Council is already heading for an overspend of £1m.

Officials have said that the cost of re-housing people, road repairs and overtime all add up and they are concerned they will only be able to claim back 85% of the money spent on the clean-up.

St Asaph resident Graham Lewis said: "This is just November and there are warnings of flash floods.

"What happens in a month's time with more flooding?"

The area was again affected by flooding overnight on Thursday, with the River Dee again rising to critical levels.

But the Environment Agency said the situation was now under control.

Emergency services

Inspecting the flood damage, Mr Murphy kicked off a busy schedule at county hall in Mold when he met senior officials of Flintshire Council and the emergency services to discuss the recent floods.

He then visited Hendre, near Rhydymwyn, to witness flood-damaged properties on the Mold to Denbigh road, and to meet families struggling to clean up.

The Secretary of State then returned to County Hall to meet Flintshire farmer Brynle Williams, one of the leaders of the fuel protest, who described the Chancellor's concessions on fuel duty as an "insult."

Finally, Mr Murphy left for St Asaph Business Park where he is attending a meeting of the North Wales Economic Forum.


Related to this story:
Murphy's double-barrelled attack (27 Sep 00 | Wales) Fuel crisis in Wales deepens (12 Sep 00 | Wales) Patients hit as fuel crisis bites (11 Sep 00 | Wales)


Internet links: Flintshire Council | North Wales Economic Forum | Office of the Secretary of State for Wales |
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