Section 18 report: Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales 2023 – 2025

Executive summary

This report on Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) in Wales is produced as a requirement under section 18 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. It provides an update to Welsh Ministers on progress made in implementing the Welsh Government’s National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management published in October 2020.

The National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in Wales (2020) sets Welsh Government’s aims and objectives for managing flooding, as well as the measures to be taken over the next decade by Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) and others to improve how we plan and prepare for, respond and adapt to, the risks from flooding.

This ‘Section 18 report’ (as it is commonly termed) details progress made against the Strategy and measures and the objectives over the period April 2023 to March 2025. It also includes other information that Welsh Government has requested be reported (as detailed in Para 335 of the National Strategy). It is a factual report and compiled from information provided by the RMAs operating in Wales, and we gratefully acknowledge the assistance of partner organisations in producing this update.

There are 24 measures in the National Strategy and this report shows that:

• 17 measures are already complete, although 10 of those require related ongoing activities to continue and 4 require the consideration of next steps,
• 6 are underway, and
• 1 is on hold.

For comparison purposes, in the last Section 18 report produced in 2023, 13 measures were complete, 9 underway and 2 yet to start or on hold. This shows that good progress has been made throughout the reporting period on delivering the measures and consequently the objectives within the Strategy. However, there are several areas of work that remain underway or not yet started and there is clearly key further work to be completed.

This Section 18 report includes information on flood events during the period and major schemes completed including alleviation works at Stephenson Street, Newport; Ammanford, Carmarthen; Kinmel Bay and Llandudno, Conwy.

This report contains examples of good FCERM practice in the sector, including:

• Innovative projects from Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre and Natural Resources Wales.
• Natural Flood Management schemes in Monmouthshire, Conwy and Caerphilly.
• Partnership working on projects in Pembrokeshire and Caerphilly.
• Information provision by Natural Resources Wales through the launch of the new Flood Warning Information Services for Wales (FWISfW), the telemetry replacement project and the publication of the Long Term Investment Requirements.
• Community participation events held by RMAs including Pembrokeshire, Caerphilly and Natural Resources Wales.

Introduction

An update on the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Strategy measures and objectives

Further information on progress of the Measures

Measure 1

Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee to establish the scope and consider the need for changes to legislation to clarify and support the delivery of FCERM in Wales by 2022.

Lead: FCEC

Status: Complete – next steps needed

Update: The Final Report “The Case for Change in Legislation and Associated Policy on FCERM in Wales” was approved by the Committee in September 2022 and submitted to the Minister. The Minister responding in November 2023, and as a result, the Committee has decided to focus further legal change work on the following:

• The control of FCERM assets, including the designation of features under Schedule 1 of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010;
• Roles and responsibilities;
• Flood risk adaptation, both on the coast and inland, and flood resilience.
• Review of the Elwen Evans Report into Local Government Section 19 reports;
• Review of mechanisms for securing investment in assets not in RMA ownership;
• Review of legislative constraints on water companies, in particular in reducing discharges from combined sewers

Measure 2

Delivery of annual topographic surveys by Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre (WCMC) on behalf of Coastal Groups to measure change in the most at risk coastal areas in Wales.

Lead: Coastal Groups and WCMC

Status: Underway

Update: In 2019 a strategic survey programme was implemented to focus annual topographic surveys on the most at risk coastal locations in Wales. This is a 10 year adapting programme that is dependant upon funding.

As of March 2025, the WCMC have completed around 64% of the planned survey programme. This equates to 949 out of 1492 planned surveys.

Annual Reports published by the WCMC provide further insight into their work and the progress of the survey programme.

Measure 3

NRW to publish new FRAW maps in 2020 alongside the Strategy and update every 6 months to reflect changes in National Asset Dataset.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: We have continued to produce bi-annual updates to the Flood Risk Assessment Wales (FRAW) map every May and November, to include any new or improved flood risk information for Rivers and the Sea. This information is based on more detailed, ‘local’ flood studies and ensures the map contains the best information available to NRW.

Where we are provided with information, we show the benefit (e.g. the reduction in risk) from new flood defences and, using information from the National Asset Dataset, identify the location of raised flood defences in the FRAW map.

We have also made improvements to the online viewer used to display the Flood Risk Assessment Wales Map (FRAW) to improve accessibility, provide an enhanced user experience, and to meet Welsh language requirements.

Measure 4

NRW to provide data on the number of homes and businesses at high, medium and low risk of flooding from all sources on an annual basis based on FRAW updates.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: In 2024 we provided a national update to the number of residential and non-residential properties at high, medium and low risk of flooding. This information was published in NRW’s Flood risk management annual report 2023 to 2024, is displayed on the Stats Wales website (flooding) and shared directly with Lead Local Flood Authorities. This data has been updated on an annual basis since.

Measure 5

Risk Management Authorities to update maps, plans and data in line with the schedule set out in Figure 12 of the National Strategy.

Lead: NRW, Local Authorities

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: NRW maintain a number of flood and coastal erosion risk maps, products and plans. The frequency of update is detailed in the table below alongside updates on the latest with each of these tasks, as well as some tasks delivered by other Risk Management Authorities. The majority are effectively complete but require ongoing work or updates, the development of Local Flood Risk Management Strategies remain ongoing and are expected to complete in 2025/26.

Table 2: Table showing the digital products that Risk Management Authorities maintain and their frequency of update

Map/data/plan	Frequency of update	Additional information
Wales Flood map	Every 6 months	The Wales Flood Map (which includes the FRAW map and the Flood Map for Planning) has been updated every 6 months, in May and November each year, to include any new, or updated flood risk information that becomes available to NRW. At the same time, we have made improvements to the online viewer used to display the Wales Flood map to improve accessibility, provide an enhanced user experience and to meet Welsh language requirements. The work has also ensured that the FRAW map and the Flood Map for Planning have the same ‘look and feel’ providing a consistent and joined-up experience for users navigating between maps.
FRAW map	Every 6 months	We have continued to provide local updates to the FRAW map every 6 months, in May and November, with any new or updated flood risk information for Rivers and the Sea. Discussions have taken place with LLFAs and the WG about requirements for updating the surface water and small watercourses component of the FRAW map which is updated less frequently due to the absence of any new or improved local model information. At the same time we have also made improvements to our Check your flood risk by postcode service. This service provides users with an alternative means of obtaining their flood risk information (that is not map based).
Flood Map for Planning	Every 6 months	The Flood Map for Planning officially replaced the Development Advice Map in March 2025 following the launch of Welsh Government’s updated TAN15. We have continued to provide local updates to the Flood Map for Planning every 6 months, in May and November, with any new or updated flood risk information.
NCERM map	Ad hoc as required	The first edition NCERM map was published in December 2022.
Communities at Risk Register (CARR)	Annually	An ‘interim’ update to the Communities at Risk Register (CaRR 2024) was released in January 2025. The purpose of this release was to obtain feedback from Users on potential changes to risk rankings prior to a full release in Summer 2025. At the same time, work has been undertaken to improve accessibility to the CaRR through an improved ‘data pack’ to LLFA’s (helping them to better understand the data and methodology used to produce the CaRR) and improved information, including a link to a new online Viewer of community polygons and rank, created on NRW’s website (Natural Resources Wales / How we plan and prioritise our flood risk management work).
National asset database	Every 6 months	Updated following voluntary LLFA submissions on an annual basis.
Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs)	As new data available	Phase 2 of a SMP refresh started in 2023/24 (including improvements to SMP content on our coastal risk maps in December 2023) and should conclude by end of 2025/26. Further information can be found about the refresh project on the Shoreline Management Plan page.
Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment	Every 6 years	Preliminary Flood Risk Assessments were produced covering the Dee, the Severn and the Western Wales River Basin Districts for all sources of flood risk in 2018. The Flood Risk Regulations were revoked in December 2023 so there will be no further updates.
Flood Risk Management Plans	Every 6 years	NRW’s Flood Risk Management Plan has been updated and published in November 2023. The Flood Risk Regulations were revoked in December 2023. We are undertaking work to consider the future of strategic flood plans in Wales.
Local Flood Risk Management Strategy	Within 2 years of National Strategy	Local Authorities are updating their Local Flood Risk Management Strategies and expected to be complete during 2025/26.

Measure 6

NRW and Local Authorities will work together to ensure that by end of 2021 the National Asset Database will contain data on all FCERM assets owned or designated by Risk Management Authorities.

Lead: NRW, Local Authorities

Status: Complete

Update: NRW published an interactive "Find flood defence structures near you (The National Flood Asset Database)" map in December 2021 with asset data from NRW and 16 Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs). We have now had agreement from all 22 LLFAs to share their key flood asset data.

Submissions have moved from an annual autumn collection to voluntary LLFA updates, when data is of a sufficient quality and standard for LLFAs to share. This approach has been agreed with Welsh Government officials.

Bringing this information together will ensure that Welsh Government investment in improved flood defences is reflected in both our flood risk and economic modelling, improving decision making and making our flood risk models more accurate.

Measure 7

NRW will work with Local Authorities to develop a process to ensure all updates are incorporated in the National Asset Database within 6 months of any completed works or changes otherwise required, by the end of 2021.

Lead: NRW, Local Authorities

Status: Complete

Update: As part of the delivery of measure 6, a process and webpage was developed for updates to the National Asset Database and this information was provided to Local Authorities. The process encourages early conversations with NRW teams during Local Authority scheme development to ensure compatibility of information with the database. This may involve a "Flood Map Challenge" process, as well as submission of good quality asset information. Depending on the size and complexity of a project a flood map challenge may take up to 6 months before being accepted. To date, NRW has received a limited number of submission from LLFAs during this reporting period.

Measure 8

NRW to utilise the National Asset Database to ensure Wales Flood Map reflects the reduced risk from all flood alleviation schemes by 2022.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete

Update: The Wales Flood Map continues to be updated on a 6 monthly cycle with up to date risk data from NRW’s mapping and modelling programme and any successful challenges submitted from LLFAs or developers.

This incorporates NRW’s flood schemes, or risk and asset data from Local Authorities submitted and accepted by NRW as part of measure 7. 

Measure 9

NRW to ensure the National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) matches SMP policies by 2021 and shows erosion rates as bands in the Wales Flood Map products by end of 2022.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete

Update: NRW completed work to improve the visualisation of coastal erosion data in map products by publishing the ‘Coastal risk' map online. The map shows NCERM data as spatial bands which give a projection of anticipated erosion over the short, medium and long term scenarios with a percentage confidence range. This will enable homeowners and partners to understand the level of risk to the coast from coastal erosion.

The maps also contain the latest update of the Shoreline Management Plan data (yellow line) and the tidal flood risk maps from FRAW mapping (green zones). The SMP data allows users to quickly understand policy unit extents and their management policies, with further information available when you click on the line.

Measure 10

Coastal Groups to report annual progress on SMP Action Plans to the Welsh Government through the Wales Coastal Group Forum.

Lead: Coastal Groups

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: Since the last Section 18 report was produced, Coastal Groups are now using the SMP Refresh Action Plan template through the SMP Refresh process. As part of the transition to the new process, Coastal Groups undertook a further action plan rationalisation exercise to sense check and streamline SMP Action Plans to make them more accurate, actionable and realistic. This reduced the number of active SMP actions from 631 in 2022 to 253 in 2024. This review of SMP Action Plans should allow Coastal Groups to prioritise shorter term actions, informed by their tailored Health Check Reports produced in 2020/2021.

As of October 2024, of the remaining 253 actions, 29% are progressing, 5% are planned and programmed, 41% are on hold due to a mixture of resource, funding and delivery constraints, 24% are not yet started and 1.6% are unknown.

Measure 11

Coastal Groups to report on the implementation of SMP2 epoch 1 policies, through Wales Coastal Group Forum to the Welsh Government, by 2025.

Lead: Coastal Groups

Status: Underway

Update: Work has begun through the Wales Coastal Group Forum to report on the implementation of SMP2 epoch 1 policies. Dedicated leads have been nominated within each Coastal Group and a reporting proforma has been developed to ensure a consistent approach.

At the time of writing this section 18 update, leads have met numerous times and are making progress. They plan to meet again to discuss provisional results alongside Forum members, specifically Welsh Government and NRW, to help form the base of the report on the implementation of SMP2 epoch 1 policies for Welsh Government.

Measure 12

NRW to complete their online flood information improvements, working with WLGA and Local Authorities, by 2021. This will include publication of the Wales Flood Map products, understanding flood warnings and advice on building resilience and responding to flooding.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete

Update: NRW have made significant improvements to online flood products in recent years. These include:

• The publication of new digital services including River Levels, Rainfall and Sea Data, Flood Warnings and Alerts and Five Day Flood Risk for Wales. These new digital products provide a better customer journey, more data (rainfall and sea level data), clearer information/advice, much greater service resilience at time of peak demand and compliance with accessibility standards.
• Improvements to the NRW website to make advice and information more easily accessible with improved signposting to organisations that can help with housing, mental health advice, traffic information, evacuation procedures, energy supplies and funding.
• The development of a ‘Check your Flood Risk’ app which gives customers an easier experience when creating a flood risk report for the area around their property and enables a text report output rather than map if required.
• Improvements made to the NRW website to make key flooding information more readily available to the public before, during and after a flood incident including a webpage detailing the responsibility for different types of watercourses.
• Development of a new suite of flood social media assets for use in communicating flood risk and practical actions to the public before, during and after flooding.
• Creation of a ‘report a flood incident’ online form for easy access flood reporting.
• Improvements to NRW’s online flood mapping service through the publication of the Flood Risk Assessment Wales map, the Flood map for Planning and National Coastal Erosion Risk Management map.

Measure 13

The Welsh Government will fully fund NFM schemes for a trial period, commencing 2020/21, and publish new guidance to further encourage take-up and the sharing of lessons on its practical delivery.

Lead: Welsh Government

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: Following the success of the NFM Pilot Programme which ran from May 2020 to March 2023, a subsequent Accelerator programme was established which made £4.5m available to continue take-up of NFM in Wales. A further £2m has been made available from 2025/26 to further support NFM in Wales.

The Welsh Government has recently published a suite of opportunity mapping and case study reviews which were completed under the NFM pilot programme. The purpose of this review was to establish how NFM is being delivered, how further work could be prioritised and potential delivery routes including working cross policy.

Projects can be viewed here.

Measure 14

The Welsh Government will work cross policy to ensure NFM is considered in wider land and water management, including agriculture and in NRW Area Statements.

Lead: Welsh Government

Status: Underway

Update: Welsh Government and NRW are working to make sure there are good cross policy links between flooding and agriculture. This is particularly important for Natural Flood Management which by its nature requires close collaboration to develop and deliver schemes which provide a large range of benefits. We are currently working to integrate Natural Flood Management into the development of the future optional and collaborative layers of the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS). When live, this scheme has the potential to help enable and incentivise landowners to utilise nature-based solutions to provide a range of benefits including, flood risk management, water quality and biodiversity. The latest information on the SFS can be found here: Sustainable Farming Scheme | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES.

Measure 15

The number of NFM and hybrid schemes undertaken will be reported to the Welsh Government annually through grant reporting, and reported to Welsh Ministers by NRW in the Section 18 report.

Lead: All RMAs

Status: Complete - ongoing

Update: Welsh Government FCERM Business Case Guidance requires all Risk Management Authorities applying for funding through Welsh Government to consider natural flood management at the short list stage. As a result of this and other works on NFM we are starting to see NFM form a more integral role in the work we deliver.

Welsh Government have made changes to their programme management system and application forms which will help monitoring projects in the programme with NFM elements.

Welsh Government have provided funding to help support NFM based projects through two separate programmes since 2023, the NFM accelerator covering 2023 to 2025 and the NFM fund covering 2025/26. Information on these programmes is provided in the tables below. Please note, some schemes are included in both tables.

Table 3: Natural Flood Management Programme 2023 to 2025

Risk Management Authority	Scheme name	No. of properties benefitting	Cost applied for (£k)
Caerphilly	Rhymney War Memorial Park	21	270
Caerphilly	Parc Cwm Darren	1	39
Caerphilly	NFM in schools	8	300
Caerphilly	Nant Hafod Tudor	1	40
Conwy	Catchment based leaky woody structures	18	70
Conwy	Llansannan NFM interventions	34	125
Conwy	Capel Curig Leat	150	80
Conwy	Y Foel - Landscape enhancement	150	170
Cyngor Gwynedd	Bontnewydd	42	271
Cyngor Gwynedd	Mynydd Llandegai	32	179
Denbighshire	Llanfair DC NFM scheme	3	456
Denbighshire	Glanllyn Farm Wigfair NFM scheme	8	299
Denbighshire	Gwyddelwern	17	299
Denbighshire	Nantglyn	38	219
Denbighshire	Pwllglass	4	298
Monmouthshire	Kingswood, lower gockett farm and dingestow	35	70
Neath Port Talbot	Llantwit and Gnoll NFM schemes	417	118
NRW	Dinas Powys scheme	44	360
NRW	Dwyran	16	230
Powys	Catchment scale leaky woody debris scheme	1028	85
Powys	Nant Abel and Afon Cain	158	200
Powys	SoIL (solving intractable land-use issues)	299	264
Powys	Upper Teme Knighton NFM 2	50	200

 

Table 4: Natural Flood Management Fund 2025/26

Delivery authority	Project name	No. of properties benefitting	Cost applied for (£k)
Caerphilly	Rhymney War Memorial (NFM), Rhymney	21	290
Caerphilly	Nant Hafod Tudor (NFM), Wattsville	1	45
Carmarthenshire	Nant Jac Catchment NFM	79	300
Conwy	Llanfair Talhaiarn	38	24
Conwy	Ysbyty Ifan	75	11
Conwy	Gwen Gof Isaf and others	75	50
Conwy	Pwllycrochan Woods NFM	21	27
Gwynedd	Criccieth NFM	27	210
Gwynedd	Waunfawr NFM	46	180
Denbighshire	Llanfair DC Natural Flood Management Schem	3	230
Denbighshire	Pwllglas NFM Scheme	4	200
Flintshire	Swinchiard Brook NFM	27	270
Flintshire	Dyserth catchment NFM	55	25
Flintshire	Maes Garmon NFM	11	60
Flintshire	Pullford Catchment NFM	78	295
Flintshire	Hawarden NFM	21	50
Flintshire	Greenfield Valley NFM	35	200
Flintshire	Fullbrook Greenfield NFM	21	50
NPT	Brynau Wetlands NFM Scheme	417	85
NPT	Tonmawr NFM	0	55
NRW	Integrated Cadoxton Catchment Approach	44	300
NRW	Ely Catchment NFM	2	83
Powys	Wye SOIL	151	296
Powys	Knighton to Newtown NFM	169	128

 

Measure 16

The Welsh Government to commence a review of the effectiveness of SuDS legislation in 2021.

Lead: Welsh Government

Status: Complete – next steps needed

Update: Welsh Government undertook their review of the implementation of sustainable drainage systems or SuDS during the reporting period of this report and then published it in July 2023 via a statement by the Minister for Climate Change. Internal workshops to analyse the report recommendations were completed, following which, options for taking the recommendations forward will be developed for Ministers’ consideration. The Minister agreed a workplan to help improve the understanding and use of the statutory SuDS legislation, which is being acted upon with regular scrutiny from an industry community of practice (SuDS COP).

Measure 17

The Welsh Government to update TAN15 by 2021 recognising the flood risk information now available to Local Planning Authorities.

Lead: Welsh Government

Status: Complete

Update: The updated planning advice on flooding through a new Technical Advice Note 15 (TAN) was published on 31 March 2025.

This TAN has been significantly revised after two separate public consultations. The Welsh Government have taken the feedback from these consultations into account and made adjustments to provide appropriate flexibility for regeneration projects, while also continuing to acknowledge the increased flood risk due to climate change. 

The new TAN15 ensures we are maximising environmental protection, safeguarding growth in our economy and creating sustainable communities. The recent pause has been a valued opportunity to build further resilience ensuring future plans recognise local authority activities whilst meeting the challenges posed by the climate change emergency.

Alongside the publication of the TAN, a new Notification Direction has been issued which requires any Local Planning Authority which is minded to approve new highly vulnerable development in flood zone 3, where it is not on brownfield land, to notify the Welsh Ministers before any planning consent can be issued. The Welsh Government have also recently recommenced the Wales Planning Performance Framework which collects information on development in areas of flood risk. Data sets collected as part of the framework have been reviewed with a proposal to collect new data sets on development and flood risk.

Measure 18

The Welsh Government to work with the Coastal Groups and NRW to develop further guidance on coastal adaptation by 2022.

Lead: Welsh Government and Coastal Groups

Status: On hold

Update: WG published the Climate Adaptation Strategy for Wales in October 2024 which outlines the significant commitment to responding to the changing climate. Within the document, we recognised that flooding impacts every policy area.

Nevertheless, reflecting on the most recent storm events over the winter, it is clear that a renewed conversation about flood risk management and building resilience in at risk communities is needed. A new vision and strategy are not required to stimulate those discussions or to set the direction emerging from it but may offer a helpful way to frame such a dialogue.

With overlaps with the recently published National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) ‘Building resilience to flooding in Wales by 2050’ report, particularly in relation to the focus in recommendations on streamlining existing plans and structures, the Welsh Government will review the current separate plans and structures within Government to ascertain if there is a clear opportunity for better integration.

Measure 19

NRW to develop and establish an appropriate monitoring programme to support and inform the National Habitat Creation Programme (NHCP) by 2022.

Lead: NRW

Status: Underway

Update: NRW continues to monitor intertidal habitat loss through evaluation at a Project level for all major coastal plans and projects using a new standard coastal squeeze assessments methodology (Guidance on the completion of a coastal squeeze assessment is provided in GN062 Assessment of Coastal Squeeze, Natural Resources Wales, 2022). Estimates of current and projected habitat loss from coastal squeeze are based on the latest UKCP18 sea level rise projections and rates. The impacts on the Marine Protected Area (MPA) from coastal plans and projects are now supported by contemporary environmental impact assessment data (Oaten J, Finch D, Frost N 2024. Understanding the likely scale of deterioration of Marine Protected Area features due to coastal squeeze. NRW Evidence Report No: 789, pp, Natural Resources Wales, Bangor.)

The NHCP has so far created compensatory habitat through managed realignment at Cwm Ivy Marsh and Crofty on north Gower, and at Morfa Friog at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary. Monitoring of these sites has been undertaken periodically since 2015 and are currently repeated on an approximately 3 to 4 yearly cycle.

Measure 20

The Welsh Government, WLGA, NRW and LRFs to standardise immediate reporting of flooding to properties and erosion events by end of 2021, in line with the Wales Flood Response Framework.

Lead: Welsh Government / Wales Flood Group

Status: Complete

Update: Following Welsh Government discussions with RMAs and wider resilience providers, there is no desire to standardise reporting processes. There are other systems available to obtain data, but none that are more efficient or effective than our current method of email data collation, therefore no further action will be taken.

Details of Section 19 Reporting during the reporting period are covered below in Section 2.4.

Measure 21

Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee, WLGA and Local Authorities to collaborate and establish high-level requirements and supporting guidance for Section19 flood investigation reports by 2023.

Lead: FCEC / WLGA and Local Authorities

Status: Underway

Update: Professor Elwen Evans completed work to review Section 19 reporting in Wales in summer 2023 in response to the Programme for Government measure: “Commission an independent review of the local government section 19 and Natural Resources Wales reports into extreme flooding in winter 2020-21 (sic) and act on its recommendations”. The FCEC established a Sub-Committee to deliver on this Strategy measure and are reviewing the Elwen Evans report with guidance from a Defra review in England on Section 19 reports. Key stakeholders will be consulted on any gaps to be addressed. Discussions are underway with the Lead Local Flood Authorities to obtain feedback and direction to any recommendations.

Measure 22

The Welsh Government will work with Risk Management Authorities to develop a 5 to 10 year investment programme pipeline.

Lead: Welsh Government and all RMAs

Status: Underway

Update: Welsh Local Authorities are in the process of writing their Local Strategies which will contain funding and prioritisation options, including local action plans. Once reviewed, this detail will be part of the wider work in developing a programme to support future FCERM needs justified in accordance with the FCERM Business Case Guidance. In addition to NRW’s established Medium Term Plan, the NRW Flood Risk Management Plan will be used as a tool to support their needs for future investment outlining the communities at greatest risk. Going forward, the Welsh Government will work collaboratively with all RMAs to consider future investment needs.

Measure 23

NRW will work with Local Authorities and the Welsh Government to publish long-term investment requirements for FCERM, complementing FRAW, by end of 2021.

Lead: NRW

Status: Complete – next steps needed

Update: NRW published its Long-Term Investment Requirements for managing the flood defence asset base in Wales in 2023. The assessment and results focussed on the capital work required for existing flood defence assets. The assessment used our latest understanding of flood risk in Wales on a national basis to model different scenarios. It used the newly available FRAW, and in particular, the new Economic Tool that was developed as part of the FRAW project. 

A report summarising this assessment was presented to Welsh Government colleagues as well as NRW’s Executive Committee and the Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee prior to its official release. Following discussions with Welsh Government, the results were published in December 2023, with media interviews and the work published on our external website. Key findings include:

• Keeping pace with climate change everywhere comes at a significant cost, as this scenario requires 3.4 times current funding levels.
• When investment is focussed solely on locations that are economical to do so, only 13% of defended areas are proven to be economically viable to keep pace with climate change. However, 70% of the total properties at risk across Wales are located within these defended areas.

NRW are currently considering potential further work to strengthen the LTIR evidence and develop a strong investment case around all aspects of Flood Risk Management.

Measure 24

The Flood and Coastal Erosion Committee (FCEC) will explore opportunities to maximise partner contributions and investment in FCERM by 2022.

Lead: FCEC

Status: Complete – next steps needed

Update: The Final Report “Resources for FCERM in Wales” was approved by the Committee in May 2022 and submitted to the Minister. Resources for flood and coastal erosion risk management in Wales: final report | GOV.WALES. A number of the proposals in the Resources Report have been taken further by NICW, and are reflected in the Commission’s recommendations. The Welsh Government response to the Commission’s recommendations is available here: www.gov.wales/letter-welsh-government-response-nicw-review-building-resilience-flooding-wales-2050.

The following areas of progress have been made by the Committee in close collaboration with the Welsh Government, NRW and the WLGA over the past two years:

• Creating the Capacity to Lead a Programme of FCERM Resource Improvement
• Undertaking an Environmental Sustainability Skills and Capacity Review in 2024
• Holding a workshop with the Deputy First Minister highlighting the issues facing the sector in March 2025
• Initiating work to review the governance and collaboration of Regional Groups, including their interactions with the FCEC
• Focussed discussions on Property Flood Resilience and the role of the insurance sector, including the publication of “Insurance & Flood Re – A Wales Perspective” in November 2024.

Reporting on what is at risk of flooding in Wales and what has been done to manage the risk

The second part of this report provides a broader update against the National FCERM Strategy, and particularly the requirements from paragraph 335:

• A description of the level of flood and coastal erosion risk in Wales;
• Details of major new FCERM schemes and projects;
• Reference to major flooding incidents; and
• Examples of good FCERM practice in Wales, including but not limited to, novel or innovative projects, the use of NFM, partnership working, information provision and community participation.

Flood and coastal erosion risk across Wales

Flooding

The undefended sum of properties at risk of flooding in Wales is 342,436. We use this undefended value, which assumes that there are no defences in place even if they do exist, because defences can be overwhelmed or fail and therefore the properties are still at risk. Some properties may be at risk from more than one source and therefore removing any double or triple counting of properties at risk from multiple sources it’s currently estimated that 274,534 properties are at risk of flooding in Wales. It is estimated that of the properties at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, approximately 103,000 benefit from flood defences.

Within the figures provided; High risk means that each year, this area has a chance of flooding of greater than 1 in 30 (3.3%). Medium means that each year, this area has a chance of flooding of between 1 in 100 (1%) and 1 in 30 (3.3%). Low means that each year, this area has a chance of flooding of between 1 in 1000 (0.1%) and 1 in 100 (1%).

The following tables show the split of properties by level of risk and source.

Table 5: The numbers of residential properties, non-residential properties, and services at risk of flooding in Wales from rivers.

Flood risk description	Residential properties at risk of flooding	Non-Residential properties at risk of flooding	Key Services at risk of flooding*	Total at risk of flooding
Rivers High	25,126	3,074	787	28,987
Rivers Medium	17,172	2,528	486	20,186
Rivers Low	48,804	7,028	1,472	57,304
Rivers Total	91,102	12,630	2,745	106,477

*Key Services include property types related to education, health services, transport, utilities and emergency services.

Table 6: The numbers of residential properties, non-residential properties, and services at risk of flooding in Wales from the sea.

Flood risk description	Residential properties at risk of flooding	Non-Residential properties at risk of flooding	Key Services at risk of flooding*	Total at risk of flooding
Sea High	56,759	5,913	1,194	63,866
Sea Medium	13,638	2,097	458	16,193
Sea Low	9,884	1,429	335	11,648
Sea Total	80,281	9,439	1,987	91,707

*Key Services include property types related to education, health services, transport, utilities and emergency services.

Table 7: The numbers of residential properties, non-residential properties, and services at risk of flooding in Wales from surface water and small watercourses.

Surface water and small watercourses	Residential properties at risk of flooding	Non-Residential properties at risk of flooding	Key Services at risk of flooding*	Total at risk of flooding
High	34,977	3,877	1,015	39,869
Medium	18,057	2,188	533	20,778
Low	74,042	7,562	2,001	83,605
Total	127,076	13,627	3,549	144,252

*Key Services include property types related to education, health services, transport, utilities and emergency services.

Further information on the Flood Risk Assessment Wales products, including the data displayed spatially on maps is available on the NRW Website and available for download via DataMapWales.

Coastal erosion

The estimated number of properties in Wales predicted to be at risk from coastal erosion is between 1,262 and 4,053 over the next 100 years. The National Coastal Erosion Risk Map provides figures over the short, medium and long term, within two management scenarios and also within three different confidence bandings.

The Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) implemented scenario assumes the management policies set out in the SMPs are delivered, where as the No Active Intervention scenario assumes that no management actions are undertaken.

‘Percentile confidence' means how certain we are that erosion will reach a position by a point in time. Confidence bandings relate to the probabilistic uncertainty within the erosion modelling; 95 percentile confidence estimates 95% certainty that erosion will reach this position by a specified point in time. 5 percentile confidence estimates 5% certainty that erosion will reach this position by a specified point in time. The 50% estimate represents a mid-range estimate.

The following table shows the split of properties into these different categories, confidence bandings and timing epochs, based on National Coastal Erosion Risk Modelling (NCERM) undertaken in 2014.

Table 8: The numbers of properties at risk of coastal erosion in Wales.

Epoch	Confidence banding	SMP Implemented Scenario	No Active Intervention Scenario
Short term (2005-2025)	95%	1	62
Short term (2005-2025)	50%	4	76
Short term (2005-2025)	5%	6	135
Medium term (2025-2055)	95%	80	368
Medium term (2025-2055)	50%	108	780
Medium term (2025-2055)	5%	144	1,214
Long term (2055-2105)	95%	170	1,262
Long term (2055-2105)	50%	293	2,594
Long term (2055-2105)	5%	406	4,053

Further information on the National Coastal Erosion Risk Mapping, including the data displayed spatially on maps is available on the NRW Website and available for download via DataMapWales.

Details of major new FCERM schemes and projects

From April 2023 to March 2025, Welsh Government have invested over £68 million in Capital works. Please note, the figure of £68m does not include the schemes funded via the Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP). CRMP schemes are subject to a separate funding programme which utilised local authority borrowing powers to finance the construction, with Welsh Government providing 85% of the repayments over time. The Welsh Government have confirmed that the following major capital schemes were either completed or mid-construction during the period in question.

Further information on Welsh Government’s investment in FCERM design phase and construction phase schemes as well as maps showing the composition of each programme year have been published on Welsh Government’s website.

Table 9: Major flood alleviation schemes across Wales from April 2023 to March 2025

Delivery year	RMA	Scheme name	Homes protected	Businesses protected	Total properties protected	Grant funding provided to RMA (£k)
2024/25	Caerphilly	Mill Road, Deri	5	0	5	£116.30
2024/25	Cardiff	Cardiff Coastal (Rover Way to Lamby Way) CRMP	2,326	204	2530	£30,546.6
2024/25	Carmarthenshire	Quarry Ffinant	16	34	50	£393.2
2024/25	Carmarthenshire	Arthur Street	43	1	44	£567.10
2024/25	Ceredigion	Aberaeron CRMP	124	42	166	£26,851.5
2023/24	Conwy	Llansannan	19	1	20	£1,628.2
2024/25	Conwy	Eldon Drive, Abergele	30	3	33	£1,188
2024/25	Conwy	Kinmel Bay CRMP	1,295	40	1335	£14,121.6
2024/25	Conwy	Llandudno CRMP	2,703	702	3405	£4,428.5
2024/25	Denbighshire	Prestatyn CRMP	2,297	86	2383	£22,179.4
2024/25	Denbighshire	Central Rhyl CRMP	548	44	592	£56,121.9
2024/25	Gwynedd	Cadnant Screen Upgrade	80	39	119	£589.2
2024/25	Gwynedd	Barmouth Viaduct Gardens CRMP	24	7	31	£4,866.9
2023/24	Gwynedd	Hirael CRMP	186	8	194	£5,083.0
2024/25	Gwynedd	Porthdinllaen	16	1	17	£316.3
2023/24	Isle of Anglesey	Mill Lane, New Structure	10	0	10	£263.5
2023/24	Isle of Anglesey	Y Fali / Valley	27	0	27	£545.7
2024/25	Neath Port Talbot	Glynneath	251	23	274	£3,089.5
2024/25	Neath Port Talbot	Stanley Place	17	0	17	£411.0
2024/25	NRW	Stephenson Street	194	620	814	£21,000.0
2024/25	NRW	Ammanford	198	25	223	£6,500.0
2024/25	NRW	Sandycroft FRM - Site Clearance works	214	4	218	£834.0
2024/25	Powys	Llowes	7	1	8	£100.0
2024/25	Powys	Pontfaen	17	0	17	£56.1
2023/24	Powys	Talgarth Phase 2	7	0	7	£271.6
2024/25	Powys	Felindre	12	0	12	£114.2
2024/25	Rhondda Cynon Taf	Cemetary Road, Treorchy	439	17	456	£514.3
2024/25	Rhondda Cynon Taf	Glenboi Road - Pumping Station	24	0	24	£1,194.3
2024/25	Rhondda Cynon Taf	Trifounder Road / Bro Deg Phase 2	9	30	39	£191.3
2024/25	Rhondda Cynon Taf	Victor Street	24	11	35	£467.5
2024/25	Swansea	Mumbles CRMP	76	50	126	£22,565.8
2023/24	Torfaen	Blaenbran Improvements	87	10	97	£665.4
2024/25	Vale of Glamorgan	Dinas Powys PFR	186	5	191	£2,117.9

It should be noted that in addition to the above schemes, Welsh Government capital funding is also utilised on a wide range of small scale schemes, maintenance and refurbishment works, which also benefit properties and sustain levels of existing flood protection around Wales. NRW has delivered capital maintenance projects which have sustained protection to 1,688 properties across Wales throughout this period.

Major new FCERM schemes and projects – case studies

This section includes a selection of case studies showcasing some of the major new FCERM schemes that have been constructed across Wales during the time period of this report (April 2023 to March 2025).

Mumbles Coastal Defence Scheme

Organisation: Swansea Council

Project location: Mumbles Coastal Defence Scheme

Key partners: Welsh Government, Swansea Council

Main funding stream: Welsh Government Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP)

Source: Sea flooding and coastal erosion

Project description: The Mumbles flood defence scheme reduces the risk of flooding to homes and businesses, now and in the future. The existing defences had become defective and in a poor state of repair and needed entirely replacing after years of frequent repairs were no longer able to keep up. The aim of the project was to be sensitive to Mumbles as a seaside visitor destination while protecting people and property from flooding. In order to do this, early and frequent engagement with the public was important. The thoughts of the public, business and others helped to shape this significant project. Public engagement began in 2019 to inform the people of Mumbles of the intention for a scheme. Further consultation was performed in summer 2021 on the sea wall and future opportunities before detailed design took place. Through the feedback received from the community, the scheme consisted of:

• construction of a primary coastal defence upstand wall seaward of the promenade to achieve the required wave overtopping standard, approximately 1.2km in length;
• maintaining and widening of the existing promenade and revise the promenade levels where required;
• construction of a set-back secondary coastal defence wall to achieve the required wave overtopping standard;
• undertake suitable works to strengthen the 0.7km length of existing revetment including consideration of possible scour and lowering of the beach foreshore level;
• provision of enhanced public realm areas that improve the connectivity to and from the promenade and provide increased areas of biodiverse landscaped areas, play areas and seating.

Key outcomes: Protection of 162 residential and business properties in Mumbles from the risk of future flooding over the next 100 years.

Old Colwyn Coastal Defence Scheme

Organisation: Conwy County Borough Council

Project location: Colwyn Bay

Main funding stream: Welsh Government Transport (Resilient Roads Fund, Active Travel Fund, Local Transport Fund), Dwr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW)

Source: Sea flooding and coastal erosion

Project description: The Old Colwyn coastal frontage at Colwyn Bay has been suffering from rapidly deteriorating coastal defences, with storm events resulting in lowering beach levels, frequent damage, promenade and highway closures and reactive emergency repair works. Increasing frequency and intensity of storms was having a negative impact on the infrastructure immediately landside of the existing coastal defence. To combat this problem, the Old Colwyn Coastal Defence Scheme was implemented to provide coastal and storm defence improvement works which would improve the hazard resilience, and protect adjacent important infrastructure from coastal storm damage. The scheme also sought to improve active travel and make a positive contribution to the long term regeneration of the area, providing a boost to local tourism and making a positive response to climate change. 

Figure 3: Photo showing the new promenade in Colwyn Bay being used for walking

Key outcomes: The project provides an increased level of protection from coastal erosion and flooding to 200 homes and businesses, as well as critical infrastructure such as the A55 North Wales Expressway and the North Wales Coast Railway Line.

A shared-space cycleway with related facilities, health markers and improved access to the beach has promoted numerous fitness related activities returning to the frontage.

The project achieved CEEQUAL rating of ‘Excellent’, and was subsequently shortlisted for the CEEQUAL Outstanding Achievement Award for its extremely ambitious and comprehensive approach to sustainability.

The scheme has been designed and constructed with inclusivity in mind with gently sloping access ramps onto the raised promenade and fishing platform areas, and disabled parking provision.

Through the involvement of the community in the development of a common vision for the improved promenade, a space has been created that provides a sense of belonging to all members of the community.

Stephenson Street flood alleviation scheme

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Stephenson Street, Liswerry, Newport

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Sea flooding

Project description: Stephenson Street is NRW’s largest and most complex flood scheme ever. Approximately 2km of raised defences (flood bund, sheet pile and reinforced concrete walls) have been constructed within budget and programme in a complex urban location, next to nationally significant sensitive saltmarsh, businesses and utilities. NRW adopted a one-team collaborative approach, innovation and design from first principles which enabled delivery of low-carbon, sustainable solutions as well as the early identification and utilisation of a local supply chain. In order to overcome significant constraints, the scheme has been constructed in an efficient and environmentally sensitive manner that safeguards the Wellbeing of Future Generations.

Figure 4: Photo showing the construction of the Stephenson Street flood alleviation scheme

Key outcomes: 

• 194 homes and 620 businesses better protected from tidal flooding across Liswerry.
• When climate change is taken into account, 1,100 homes and 1,000 non-residential properties are better protected from tidal flooding across Liswerry.
• Enhancements to community green spaces and the nearby section of the iconic Wales Coast Path.
• Exceptional value for money with every £1 spent delivering £8 over its life.

Major flooding incidents

During the reporting period for this report April 2023 to March 2025, there have been a number of storms which have led to impacts across Wales. If there is property flooding in a certain area, the LLFA that manages that particular source of flooding may be required to produce a section 19 report on the flooding. The table below contains any Section 19 reports that have been published during this reporting period or for flooding that occurred during the reporting period and submitted to us. We are unclear if this is a complete record of all Section 19 reports during the reporting period which highlights some of the challenges with the National oversight of this process.

Table 10: Section 19 reports produced by Local Authorities

Local Authority	Location	Date of flood event	Date published	Link to Section 19 report
Conwy County Borough Council	Llandudno	October 2023 (Storm Babet)	-	Report available on request from Conwy County Borough Council
Conwy County Borough Council	Llanfairfechan	April 2024 (Storm Pierrick)	-	Report available on request from Conwy County Borough Council
Conwy County Borough Council	Kinmel Bay	April 2024 (Storm Pierrick)	-	Report available on request from Conwy County Borough Council
Neath Port Talbot Council	Melyn	3 November 2022	17 January 2024	https://www.npt.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/flood-risk-and-drainage/investigations-into-flooding/
Swansea Council	Lower Gorseinon	February 2020 (Storm Dennis)	13 October 2025	Investigations into flooding - Swansea
Wrexham County Borough Council	Worthenbury	16 October 2024	18 July 2025	Section 19 flood investigation reports | Wrexham County Borough Council

Storms and impacts affecting Wales between April 2023 and March 2025

The chart below shows the flood risk forecast for Wales every day for the past two financial years. There is one coloured line for each day to indicate the forecast flood risk. Red indicates high risk of flooding, orange is medium, yellow is low and green is very low.

Figure 5: Figure showing the flood risk forecast for Wales for each financial year for the past five years. For each year, there is a line for every day of the year, shaded according to the predicted flood risk.

The following sections summarise the major storms and their associated impacts that have affected Wales from April 2023 to March 2025.

Unnamed storm, 20 September 2023

The remnants of Hurricane Lee which caused impacts in Bermuda, the US and Canada caused high winds and bands of heavy rain that caused flooding of roads and disruption in Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys. At Clydach in the Tawe valley, the river Clydach peaked at 4.16m and led to flooding of the Mond Valley Golf club and the Vardre Rugby Football Club pitches and buildings.

Storm Babet, 18 to 21 October 2023

Storm Babet was the third wettest independent 3-day period across the whole of England and Wales since 1891. Impacts were felt in communities across North and Mid Wales as the storm triggered 46 flood warnings of varying levels in a 48-hour period demonstrating the huge amount of rainfall that fell in this area of Wales over a relatively small period of time. Transport was affected as roads and railways were flooded and many schools were forced to close. In some areas properties were evacuated as a result of the heavy rain and rising floods which led to the flooding of approximately 160 properties in Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham and Powys. A severe flood warning meaning that there is a danger to life was issued for Llandrinio, Powys covering the area where the Severn and Vyrnwy rivers meet. 

Storm Ciaran, 31 October to 1 November 2023

Storm Ciaran caused very strong winds and heavy rain soon after Storm Babet. The already saturated catchment of the River Ritec in Tenby meant a Severe Flood Warning was issued as the river reached record levels. NRW attended the multi-agency response and the advice given led to the safe and successful evacuation of over 900 people to safety as flood waters inundated the Kiln Park Holiday site in the area. 

Storm Henk, 2 January 2024

Storm Henk was the 8th named storm of the season and led to widespread disruption with strong winds and heavy rain across Wales. Worst affected was the River Ritec in Tenby that was subject to a severe flood warning and flooding of the Kiln Park caravan park for the second time this winter.

Storm Isha, 21 to 22 January 2024

Storm Isha brought winds as strong as 90mph accompanied by some very wet weather that saw the high ground of North Wales receive 50mm of rainfall widely and in places, over 100mm. Roads were flooded in North Wales along with much disruption caused by the strong winds. The flood risk posed by Storm Isha was diminished due to arriving after a fortnight of cold and dry weather.

Storm Kathleen, 6 – 7 April 2024

Storm Kathleen was an unusually severe storm for this time of year with very strong winds, especially in coastal areas which also coincided with a period of springs tides, and heavy rain. The stormy conditions particularly affected the Western and Northern parts of Wales. In total, 35 properties experienced internal flooding across Conwy, Ceredigion and Torfaen.

Storm Lilian, 22 – 23 August 2024

Storm Lilian was the 12^th and final storm of 2023/24 storm season and the first time named storms reached the letter L in any storm season. Storm Liliam was the most significant August windstorm to affect the UK since storms Ellen and Francis in August 2020. Strong winds affected coastal areas around Wales leading to Flood Warning and Flood Alerts to be issued.

Unnamed storm, 16 October 2024

Widespread disruption was experienced in many parts of Wales, particularly in Powys and the North East as heavy rain fell causing flooding to properties, trainlines and roads.

Storm Ashley, 20 – 21 October 2024

Storm Ashley was the first storm of the 2024/25 storm season causing heavy rain and very strong winds across Wales but mostly impacting coastal areas and communities. Sea flooding was experienced around the coast including in coastal communities Borth, Amroth and Aberystwyth along with surface water flooding in Cardiff.

Storm Bert, 22 – 25 November 2024

Over the weekend of the 23 to 24 November 2024, storm Bert brought a period of very wet and windy weather to Wales. There were widespread rainfall totals of 50 to 100mm across Wales with over 150mm of rain in the wettest upland areas. In many places in South Wales, the rainfall amount in the three day period from 22 to 24 November was 70% or above of the November average rainfall. The 23 November was the wettest day in the UK since October 2020 and the 12^th wettest in the UK series from 1891. This amount of rainfall falling on already wet catchments led to some rivers in South Wales reaching their highest ever recorded levels.

Steep sided catchments like the south Wales Valleys, respond very rapidly to heavy downpours. Storm Bert brought very heavy rainfall that was very challenging to forecast exactly where it was going to impact. The Taff catchment rivers responded incredibly quickly to the rainfall, giving short lead time for warnings to be issued. During Storm Bert more than 700 homes across Wales experienced flooding, with Pontypridd which was badly affected during storm Dennis in February 2020, one of the most severely affected communities. A landslip occurred at Cwmtillery, Blaenau Gwent, with a disused coal tip partially collapsing, forcing the evacuation of around 40 homes due to rock and mud flowing onto residential streets. In addition, a large sinkhole opened on a residential street in Merthyr Tydfil after an underground culvert was damaged by boulders.

As a result of Storm Bert, flooding and infrastructure damage led to widespread disruption of railways, including the closure of the Heart of Wales and Marches lines. Many roads were also closed due to flooding and landslides, including the A479 in Powys and the A4042 in Monmouthshire.

Storm Darragh, 6 – 7 December 2024

Storm Darragh caused very strong winds to West Wales and coastal areas along the South Wales coastline resulting in a rare red warning being issued by the Met Office. The UK Government also issued an emergency alert by phone to those affected areas. This was the first time this system had been used since being introduced in 2023.

Storm Darragh arrived just two weeks after storm Bert so the risk of flooding was also a concern as storm Darragh led to 50 to 100 mm of rain to upland areas of Wales on already saturated catchments. There was widespread travel disruption, damage to buildings and infrastructure. The destructive winds significantly damaged power infrastructure with more than 259,000 homes without power at the peak of electricity network disruption. Although 110 flood alerts and 41 flood warnings were issued throughout the duration of storm Darragh, flooding impacts were minimal.

Examples of good FCERM practice in Wales

The following section presents a range of projects and case studies delivered in this reporting period, recognised as good practice for innovation, the use of natural flood management techniques, partnership working, information provision or community participation.

Figure 6: A map providing an overview of the examples provided.

Novel or innovative projects

Public-facing data platform - Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre (WCMC) and Office for National Statistics (ONS)

Organisation: Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre (WCMC)

Project location: Wales coastline

Key partners: Office for National Statistics

Source: Sea flooding and coastal erosion

Project description: The WCMC has delivered a pioneering collaboration with the Office for National Statistics Data Science Campus to develop a public-facing data platform. This tool provides open, immediate access to coastal change evidence, supporting improved transparency and enabling Risk Management Authorities and other stakeholders to make informed, data-driven decisions. The platform represents a major step forward in the use of digital innovation to support FCERM across Wales.

Figure 7: Screenshot from the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre data platform showing beach profiles for Newgale Sands North

Key outcomes: Open access to coastal change evidence

Risk Based Revenue Allocation Model (RBRAM)

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Main river and the sea

Project description: We have developed a new method of planning our routine maintenance activities, utilising our asset management database (AMX), which will enable us to prioritise routine asset maintenance and allocate funding in a more efficient and effective way. The RBRAM Model works by considering factors including the level of risk, the criticality of undertaking certain actions, the economics of each action and whether there are other drivers for our work, including legal commitments. We have developed the model over recent years and we are continuing to improve the guidance, standards and specifications in relation to this work. As we capture more data from the delivery of our maintenance work we are continuously improving the evidence and assumptions made by the model.

Key outcomes: RBRAM will enable us to ensure our flood risk asset maintenance is prioritised on a risk basis, ensuring we deliver the best value for money through our works whilst also ensuring that maintenance obligations are met.

Rhymney Great Wharf Polders

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Rhymney Great Wharf, Cardiff

Main funding stream: Welsh Government Nature Network Programme

Source: The sea

Project description: Work to restore the saltmarsh habitat along the Severn Estuary near the Rhymney Great Wharf in south Wales, has been completed. The project will help to increase biodiversity and resilience in the Estuary as well as reducing flood risk in the area.

The restoration has included the renewal and extension of over 2km of sedimentation polders along the foreshore. The structures, which are made of chestnut posts and brushwood bundles, help encourage the establishment of saltmarsh habitat, by slowing the movement of the tide as it recedes, allowing sediment to be deposited within the polder fields.

Over time, mud and sand builds up and turns into saltmarsh.

Figure 8: Rumney Great Wharf Polders

Key outcomes: This will help restore the important habitat of the Severn Estuary, supporting local wildlife and helping to trap carbon. The Estuary supports some of the most important and protected habitats in the UK, and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It hosts a significant number of waterfowl and aquatic invertebrate as well as providing a valuable corridor for migratory fish.

This nature based solution will also help to enhance the existing flood defences and reduce future flood risk by reducing pressure from erosion.

The use of Natural Flood Management (NFM)

Afon Bidno, Upper Wye catchment NFM project

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Afon Bidno, Upper Wye catchment

Main funding stream: Welsh Government’s Nature and Climate Emergency Fund

Source: Main river

Project description: We have undertaken work on the Afon Bidno in the Upper Wye catchment to help slow the flow and provide habitat benefits for wildlife. Along a 1.5 km stretch of the Afon Bidno in our Welsh Government Woodland Estate, we have placed large deadwood in the watercourse to help slow the water flow and provide a greater variety of river features and habitats for wildlife. We have also partially cut bankside willow trees to encourage the growth of thicker trees which will provide shade for the river, create habitat and slow overland flow. These living willow trees will help to slow the flow indefinitely, even when the woody debris has decayed. These techniques provide food for aquatic insects, and in turn amphibians, fish and otter, some of which are designated species in this Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The slower flows and bankside vegetation, particularly in high flow events, will also cause suspended sediments to drop out of the water and be retained on site, thus reducing colouration of the watercourse from soils washed off the land.

Figure 9: Photo showing a leaky dam across the Afon Bidno

Key outcomes: This project presented a low cost and effective means of delivering a range of environmental and land management benefits, including flood risk.

As a result of the success of these techniques on the Afon Bidno, we plan to adopt these same techniques to deliver benefits for water quality and river health on other sites across the Wye catchment and beyond.

River Trothy NFM

Organisation: 

Monmouthshire County Council

Project location: River Trothy Catchment

Key partners: Landowners

Main funding stream: Welsh Government Natural Flood Management (NFM) Grant

Project description: With funding received from the Welsh Government Natural Flood Management (NFM) grant, Monmouthshire County Council worked with local landowners to develop NFM schemes in the River Trothy catchment which feeds the River Wye south of Monmouth. The scheme included improvements at two sites where the landowners were fully engaged in the process of designing and implementing NFM features to help reduce flood risk and provide biodiversity improvements.

At both sites, the landowners helped to develop the NFM proposals. At one site, one dew pond, four scrapes, five leaky dams and 14 ponds were created, totalling approximately 3,300 cubic metres of storage. At the second site, the works included leaky debris dams, gully stuffing, attenuation ponds, scrapes, and a small lagoon to intercept overland runoff. The features were installed in the upper catchments of a number of small streams and ditches using natural materials sourced immediately adjacent to the works. Following completion, a NFM training and awareness event, organised by the Wye Valley National Landscape for contractors, landowners and other interested parties, was held on the farm which included a talk on NFM and site visit to see the completed NFM features and some new leaky dams being installed. The works were completed by local contactors supported by the landowners.

Figure 10: Photo showing a pond that was created as part of the NFM improvements in the Trothy catchment

Key outcomes: Successful delivery of two NFM schemes which will help to reduce flood risk and provide biodiversity enhancements and also have the potential for future expansion of NFM features.

Lessons learnt: Engagement with landowners is key. This can be time consuming, but with shared goals, landowners and Monmouthshire County Council’s engineers have worked closely to ensure the projects were a success.

Dolwyddelan NFM

Organisation: Conwy County Borough Council

Project location: Dolwyddelan

Main funding stream: Welsh Government Natural Flood Management (NFM) Grant

Project description: This project sought to address surface water and small watercourse flood risk identified by NRW flood mapping and which was impacting on residential property. The land belongs to private landowners who had made contact with Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) about a flood issue arising from a small stream and overland flow in fields above their property, which sits above the village of Dolwyddelan.

Initial surveys and site investigations identified various interventions which would not compromise the land for grazing now and in the future. These interventions include reducing the flood flow within the watercourse with leaky woody debris, identifying historical bog areas and creating pathways using bunds and brash bundles to retain water and nutrients within the soil that were previously lost during periods of significant rainfall and overland flows.

During construction, CCBC worked with the adjacent landowners to ensure no negative effects were caused further down the valley from where the works took place.

Figure 11: Photo showing woody debris dam used to help slow the flow of water

Key outcomes: Reduced surface water flood risk and increased biodiversity benefits.

Lessons learnt: Early engagement with the consultant / contractor helped to maximise the potential for NFM opportunities and early engagement with landowners helped to understand present and historical use to ensure the scheme has no detriment to the ongoing use of land.

NFM in Schools Project

Organisation: Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC)

Project location: Multiple schools across Caerphilly County Borough, Wales

Key partners: Welsh Government, Countryside and Parks Services, Ynysddu Primary School, Cwmfelinfach High Level Primary School, Waunfawr Primary School, Crumlin High Level primary School, Ystrad Mynach Primary School, The Twyn School

Main funding stream: Welsh Government’s Natural Flood Management Accelerator Programme

Project description: The NFM in Schools Project delivered sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), including ground-level features (rain gardens), rainwater butts and SuDS planters, across several schools in Caerphilly County Borough. These interventions aimed to manage surface water, enhance biodiversity, and educate pupils on environmental sustainability. The scheme included educational signage and planting activities coordinated with school timetables. A notable milestone was the visit by the Minister for Climate Change at the time, Julie James MS, to one of the participating schools, which highlighted the project's success and its alignment with national climate resilience goals.

Figure 12: NFM in schools. (Left to right) Photo 1 is a rain garden in Ystrad Mynach, photo 2 is raised rain garden in Ystrad Mynach and photo 3 is a rain garden in Crumlin High

Key outcomes: 

• Flood resilience improved at educational sites
• Pupils engaged in environmental learning
• SuDS signage installed for long-term awareness
• Project completed under budget due to efficient collaboration

Lessons learnt: 

• Coordinating works around school schedules was challenging but manageable through close collaboration.
• Listed building requirements (e.g., downpipe configurations) required adaptive planning.
• Educational signage reinforced the scheme’s long-term value.
• The project serves as a replicable model for integrating sustainable drainage in school environments.

Partnership working

Partnership Working and Community Participation

Organisation: Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC)

Project location: Havens Head and Lower Priory, Milford Haven

Key partners: Milford Haven Port Authority

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Surface water

Project description: Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) are undertaking a flood alleviation scheme to address flooding issues for communities in the Milford Haven area following flooding in 2018. The scheme will involve culvert and outfall upgrades along with NFM work and watercourse bank repairs. PCC have undertaken multiple engagement events with the communities at risk of flooding, and also with the main land owner, Milford Haven Port Authority to ensure the final scheme is appropriate. The engagement events have been held face to face in the community and involved talking through the latest proposals, answering questions and addressing any concerns the local community might have. There have also been multiple site visits for residents and elected Members.

Key outcomes: Flood risk alleviated for properties, businesses and wider infrastructure (including highways).

Lessons learnt: Flooding happened in 2018 which impacted two communities in the area. Community members and affected residents still have a huge drive and desire for the work to be completed so it is important that these are included in the development of the project.

Partnership Working: The Joint FCERM R&D Programme

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales (NRW), in partnership with the Joint Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Research & Development (R&D) Programme

Project location: The programme operates at a Wales and England level

Key partners: Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra); Environment Agency (EA); Welsh Government (WG)

Main funding stream: NRW Revenue with contributions from others key partners (listed above)

Project description: The Joint FCERM R&D Programme is a partnership between Defra, the Environment Agency (EA), Welsh Government (WG) and NRW. Together, this programme identifies and delivers flood-risk research across England and Wales. We have agreed a set of “Areas of Research Interest” (the current period runs to 2028) to focus our work. All reports, such as the updated “Working with Natural Processes Evidence Directory” (Feb 2025) are available on GOV.UK. When publishing projects there are webinars and workshops so Local Authorities, engineers and community groups can put the findings to work.

A good example of the benefits of partnership working at both a programme and project level is the “Working with Natural Processes to Reduce Flood Risk” (2025) project. Working with Natural Processes aims to protect, restore and emulate the natural functions of catchments, floodplains, rivers and the coast to reduce flood risk. It is often referred to as natural flood management or nature based solutions (NbS). This project has reviewed the latest evidence to provide a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of 17 individual measures in reducing flood risk and the multiple benefits they provide. Through working in partnership, the project recognised the different policies around NFM / NbS in Wales and the need for good evidence to support implementation of these policies. Subject matter experts from NRW supported the project, reviewing outputs and helping to shape the final products. Being involved in these discussions allowed greater understanding of the evidence to support future approaches to NbS in Wales.

Key outcomes: 

• Shared Priorities: By establishing shared research priorities across England and Wales via the Areas of Interest, the Programme ensures that new studies align with operational policy needs, addressing critical knowledge gaps and directly informing frontline FCERM decision-making.
• Shared Expertise & Data: By collective working together sharing knowledge, skills and data. Key topic areas such as NFM are progressed avoiding duplication of effort and maximising areas of opportunity.

Lessons learnt: The power of Influence: Joint promotion by all partners boosted sector-wide engagement far beyond what any single body could achieve.

Maesycwmmer culvert

Organisation: Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC)

Project location: Pontprencrwca House, Maesycwmmer

Key partners: Welsh Government, Private Landowners

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Small Scale Grant, Storm Bert Emergency Funding and CCBC Core Capital Budgets

Project description: In the aftermath of Storm Bert, a historic masonry arch culvert running under the Nant Y Twyn road was inspected and found to be 50% collapsed. The road was closed whilst engineers came up with a solution to replace the collapsed section. There were significant challenges including a Welsh Water main pipe, closing rural country lane, working through extreme weather conditions, asbestos deposits in the ground and navigating bedrock.

A new box culvert was installed and boundary wall replaced with works completed to a high standard and the road re-opened.

Figure 13: Photo on the left shows the damaged culvert following Storm Bert and the photo on the right shows the culvert after repairs.

Key outcomes: Flood relief for the highway, residential homes and surrounding areas.

Lessons learnt: 

• Co-ordinating with stakeholders is imperative to drive a successful project management scheme.
• Residential engagement and regular contact is important.
• Significant financial and time impacts can occur with even the most minor of design adjustments.
• Stakeholder meetings should be held throughout the project to ensure all parties are on the same page.

Information provision

New Flood Warning Information Services for Wales

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Main river and the sea

Project description: NRW’s new Flood Warning Information Services for Wales (FWISfW) went live on 17 July 2024. Issuing flood warnings are critical for us to fulfil our statutory obligation to warn others of the location, timing, and magnitude of flooding from rivers and the sea in Wales. It has since been used to successfully issue Flood Alerts and Flood Warnings for river and coastal flooding, including during Storm Bert and the other winter storms of 2024/25.

This was a significant £5m project which has enabled us to deliver a new multi-media Flood Warning Information Services for Wales. This project now allows us to provide our own independent flood warning service for the people of Wales. For continued consistency for our customers, the flood warning codes, thresholds we issue warnings at and properties we send warnings to did not change on go live.

Key outcomes: The new Flood Warning Information Services for Wales allows for a more efficient process for issuing Flood Alert and Warning messages by our duty officers, so it is reduces their workload during flooding incidents and enables faster issuing of messages to those at risk. It also enables better clarity and consistency in our Flood Alert and Warning messages so that they provide more direct advice, related to potential or expected impacts.

Lessons learnt: 

• Putting users at the heart of the service design is essential to make better investment decisions and develop better processes.
• Direct engagement and research with users is important to determine who the customer is when considering changes to a service.
• The discovery and pilot phases are worth the time and effort especially when considering whether to deliver an off the shelf IT solution or build a bespoke solution.
• With ICT projects, strict control of the delivery timetable is needed to deliver to time and budget. This was done successfully and go live took place as planned in July 2024.

Telemetry replacement project

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Main river and rainfall

Project description: NRW are undertaking work to deliver a new Telemetry System with an estimated project cost of £5m. This project is critical to enable NRW to continue to gather and share near real time river, rainfall and operational plant information which underpins our response to flooding incidents and water management, including drought. It will replace ageing systems and infrastructure which are reaching the end of operation. The new telemetry data portal is live and all external customers have migrated over to it. 565 out of 611 telemetry stations have been transferred to the new system. Work on the main system build continues into 2025/26.

Key outcomes: The new system will provide near real time river, rainfall and operational plant information which is critical to our response to flooding incidents.

Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) Layer update on coastal risk map

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: Welsh Government FCERM Programme

Source: Sea flooding and coastal erosion

Project description: As part of NRW’s ongoing SMP refresh work, improvements were made to how Shoreline Management Plans are presented on the online maps (accessible via our webpage) with greater detail added to the information and content, with improved links to source material.

Figure 14: Screenshot from our webpage showing how we present our Shoreline Management Plans

Key outcomes: The additional Policy Rationale, Policy Sub-Categories and links to source Policy documents provide more detail on the proposed policies to clarify the local intent and management approach going forward.

Long Term Investment Requirements (LTIR)

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: NRW Revenue funding

Source: Main river and the sea

Project description: In January 2024, NRW published a report looking at the level of investment required in flood defences to manage Wales’ future flood risk from rivers and the sea against the backdrop of a changing climate.The Long Term Investment Requirements (LTIR) report sets out the findings of the LTIR analysis, using the latest information from the Flood Risk Assessment Wales (FRAW) project and the Asset Management eXpert (AMX) flood asset database. An economic tool was used to assess different investment scenarios, the likely costs and benefits of different policy decisions to help inform decision making and budget planning for Flood Risk Management (FRM) in Wales.

Key outcomes: The report highlights the need for further action in response to our changing climate, the need for adaptation across many communities around Wales and the sustained need for investment in flood risk management over the long term.

Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs)

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Wales

Main funding stream: NRW Revenue funding

Source: Main river and the sea

Project description: NRW published updated Flood Risk Management Plan in November 2023. The plan covers all of Wales and sets out the priorities for managing flood risk for the next six years for the areas of flooding for which we have lead responsibilities: flooding from rivers, reservoirs and the sea. The plan is separated into an overarching national section alongside six place focussed sections.

Key outcomes: The set of planned measures and actions included in the plan will address the overall objective of reducing the risk to people and communities from flooding from main rivers, reservoirs and the sea, and support the delivery of the 14 priorities set out within the plan.

Community participation

Flood volunteer network events

Organisation: Natural Resources Wales

Project location: Cardiff, Aberystwyth, Merthyr Tydfil and Llandudno

Key partners: Professional partners including Local Authorities, Flood Re, Association of British Insurers, Public Health Wales, REACT Disaster Response and National Flood Forum.

Main funding stream: NRW Revenue funding

Source: All sources

Project description: NRW held 3 Community Flood Volunteer network events in Cardiff, Aberystwyth and Llandudno during 2023/24 and 2 in Aberystwyth and Merthyr Tydfil in 2024/25. These events provided a valuable opportunity to connect with public and partners face to face. 

In the 2023/24 events, NRW developed a fictional flood scenario, which unfolded over the course of a few days, and seated people from different communities and organisations together to work through the scenario. In total, 23 communities were represented by 39 community members along with 65 professional partners.

The 2024/25 events focused on flood recovery. There were short presentations from professional partners and NRW explaining their roles and support offered in the flood recovery process. In total, 12 communities were represented by 24 community members. 43 professional partners attended and contributed to the planning and discussions on the day.

Figure 15: Community Flood Volunteer network event at the Angel Hotel, Cardiff, 28 September 2023

Key outcomes: These events provide a valuable opportunity for face-to-face interaction between organisations and the opportunity to talk to others about flood risk. 

Sustainable Coastal Communities

Organisation: Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC)

Project location: Saundersfoot, Amroth and Dale

Key partners: Saundersfoot Community Council, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Saundersfoot Harbour, Amroth Community Council, Dale Community Council

Main funding stream: Revenue

Source: Coastal erosion

Project description: Sustainable Coastal Communities is an initiative that started with involvement with affected communities, particularly considering how communities around the coast may need to adapt with climate change. Using the Shoreline Management Plan 2 (SMP2) and accompanying action plans, consultant support helped create community specific information sheets detailing information on sea level rise, SMP2s, flood risk (including flood modelling), coastal change, current and possible future management practises and planning policy.

Key outcomes: Producing the community specific information sheets has enabled the start of community led discussion for climate adaptation in coastal communities. Each location (Amroth, Dale and Saundersfoot) have different SMP2 policies and action plans, therefore each discussion is different. The community will lead on the decision making, with Pembrokeshire County Council assisting. Discussions with communities are ongoing with no set end date.

Lessons learnt: There is not one rule that fits all communities with regards to conversations with communities regarding change and adaptation.

Ynysddu Flood Group

Organisation: Caerphilly County Borough Council

Project location: Ynysddu, Caerphilly

Key partners: Local Ward Councillors, residents, NRW

Main funding stream: FCERM element of Revenue Support Grant

Project description: The Ynysddu Flood Group is a community-focused initiative aimed at addressing surface water flooding concerns across Bridge Street, Station Avenue, and John Street in Caerphilly. The group operates throughout the year, maintaining regular liaison with local councillors who act as a conduit for ongoing concerns raised by residents. Engagement intensifies in the lead-up to the group’s annual meeting, typically scheduled for early autumn. Prior to this meeting, a preliminary site walkover is conducted with councillors to identify and highlight key areas of concern. This is followed by a formal meeting involving residents, councillors, and representatives from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), who attend in their capacity as the Risk Management Authority for main river flooding. The meeting provides a platform to discuss persistent issues in greater detail and is followed by a joint walkover involving all stakeholders to ensure that all flood-related concerns are observed and understood on the ground. Following these activities, a summary is produced, and any necessary actions are pursued and monitored throughout the year.

Figure 16: Photo showing Ynysddu Flood Storage Area

Key outcomes: This structured and collaborative approach ensures that local flood risk is managed proactively and transparently, with strong community involvement and inter-agency coordination.

Natural Resources Wales Annual Reports

To provide more detail and regular reporting, in regard to the progress being made in managing flood risk in Wales, Natural Resources Wales have produced a series of annual reports over the last three years to supplement the information supplied in this overarching Section 18 Report.

The information included helps to demonstrate the wider delivery of Welsh Governments National Strategy and its Objectives, they also provide more in depth detail into some of the key projects and successes delivered within this reporting period.

These reports cover the financial year period from April to March and can be accessed using the following links.

Flood risk management annual report 2020/21

Flood risk management annual report 2021/22

Flood risk management annual report 2022/23

Flood risk management annual report 2023/24

Flood risk management annual report 2024/25