What steps is Welsh Government taking to monitor and prevent coastal erosion as a result of rising sea levels in Anglesey?
The Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP) supplements the core flood programme. Over the first three financial years of the Strategy (April 2020 to March 2023), Welsh Government has invested over £206 million in flood and coastal erosion risk management.
Welsh Government works in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Defra on the joint Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management research and development programme. This provides evidence to all flood and coastal operating authorities across Wales. This evidence helps to inform the development of policy and strategy; improves understanding of coastal erosion and flood risk; considers how flood and coastal erosion assets can be managed in a sustainable way; and helps Wales prepare and manage flood events effectively.
Coastal erosion risk is shown on the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) which is managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The map is publicly available and enables homeowners and partners to understand the level of risk to the coast from coastal erosion.
The Welsh Government also funds the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre (WCMC) to collate and analyse data on the changing Welsh coastline. In 2019, the WCMC initiated a strategic survey of the beaches in Wales including Anglesey, thus aiming to assess their responses to the challenges posed by climate change. As part of the ongoing programme, eight specific locations along the Anglesey coastline undergo bi-annual surveys to gather crucial data on their environmental changes. Additionally, seven of these surveyed locations are subject to regular high-density drone mapping surveys.