The Welsh Government has announced a record £85 million investment in flood and coastal erosion risk management for 2026/27, the highest annual allocation ever made in Wales.
Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, confirmed the funding during a visit to a coastal defence project at Rover Way in Cardiff, where work is underway to strengthen coastal defences.
This year’s investment builds on over £377 million allocated to flood risk management during this Senedd term, the largest flood-related funding in Wales' history. The £85 million will be distributed to Risk Management Authorities across Wales, with almost £43 million allocated to new schemes protecting vulnerable communities.
Speaking at Rover Way, Irranca-Davies emphasized the importance of the investment. “This year’s £85 million of funding is the highest Wales has ever seen. It will fund new schemes across the country, maintain infrastructure, and help communities adapt to climate change,” he said.
This year’s investment builds on over £377 million allocated to flood risk management during this Senedd term, the largest flood-related funding in Wales' history
The Rover Way project includes rock revetment, earth embankments, sheet piling, and erosion protection along the coastline. Once completed, it will reduce coastal flooding risk for 2,326 residential and 204 non-residential properties over the next 100 years. The Welsh Government has provided 85% of the construction funding and fully funded development costs.
The Rover Way scheme is part of the £291 million Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP), which will deliver 15 projects to protect nearly 14,000 properties across Wales. Additionally, over £7.4 million will be allocated through the Small Scale Works Grant for 106 local projects, supporting regional economies and infrastructure.
Revenue funding will continue to support the work of Risk Management Authorities and the Wales Coastal Monitoring Centre. Furthermore, £5.26 million will support 35 Natural Flood Management projects, reducing flood risk for over 3,300 properties while benefiting the environment.
The Deputy First Minister also announced a £0.5 million workforce development programme to strengthen flood and coastal management skills across Wales over the next three years.
