A new £4.6m programme to reduce the risk of flooding around major river catchments in Wales has been announced.

The Natural Flood Management Accelerator Programme is part of a Welsh Government commitment to implement nature-based flood management systems.

The two-year scheme, which will involve farmers, foresters and other land managers, will fund 23 projects across eight different risk management authorities and is expected to reduce the flood risk to around 2,000 properties.

Approved projects to date include plans to plant additional woodland to slow overland flows, cross-slope hedgerows and riparian buffer strips, along with leaky dam construction, and, in some instances, silt traps.

Minister for climate change, Julie James, said there was a need to reduce flooding risk to communities as Wales contends with the growing effects of climate change.

“Developing and delivering wider nature-based sustainable solutions to reduce flood risk is critical to protecting and enhancing our environment, homes and communities,’’ she said.

“The programme will further expand our commitment to working collaboratively with Welsh farmers, landowners and third-sector organisations across Wales.”

 

Exploring and encouraging collaboration and new ways of working will help deliver at pace and scale, believed Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths.

 

“With the support of farmers, foresters, land managers and food businesses we can develop the rural economy and our natural environment in a sustainable way,’’ she said.

 

“This will further enhance our knowledge and experience in delivering co-ordinated collaborative projects within known flood-prone areas.