Janet Finch-Saunders

In thanking the emergency services, local authorities and NRW, I would like to place on record my particular tribute, actually, to the many community volunteers and householders who found themselves very alone on Boxing Day. I have to be honest, I want to place on record my disappointment to the Minister, who was fully aware of my concerns, because I literally had to take to social media, asking for support for my constituents.

You mentioned Llanrwst, and there’s been much mention about Llanrwst. Simple things there that I’ve been informed of: the key for the actual barrier was in Llandudno when it was needed in Llanrwst. That is one of the issues. That was for the flood barrier. So, we have flood alleviation schemes in place, but the lack of communication that’s been mentioned before was a big thing. But let’s talk about Trefriw; let’s talk about Llanfairfechan; let’s talk about Penmaenmawr, where we had people in streams going up to the quarry, filling plastic bags with their bare hands because sandbags were not available. Local authority—. I’ve had an e-mail today, begging for them. This was on 28 December: ‘Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you. We do not generally supply sandbags in advance of any flood warnings. Where property owners anticipate that they are susceptible to flooding, they are encouraged to make their own arrangements to purchase sandbags from local builders merchants. We have a limited supply, where requests made during an emergency are considered on a case-by-case basis, prioritised by site layout or need.’ Well, we needed sandbags. We needed co-ordinated flood plans in place. We didn’t have them.

Now, I’m really grateful to you, Minister, for your statement today. The silence from you on Boxing Day—. You say that you were alerted at 7 o’clock in the morning. Well, all I know is that the Prime Minister did actually come out strongly when he knew that there were people over the border very anxious and feeling alone. You know, that is what true leadership is about. For you not to make a statement till three days later was, frankly, appalling. The First Minister came. He didn’t come to Aberconwy, sadly. I have many, many devastated—. He may say, ‘Oh, 150 properties’. That’s a lot of properties, and it’s a lot of devastation if you’re just one of those 150. But I have new businesses that have set up in north Wales, set up in Aberconwy, that are very successful. Their businesses were devastated on Boxing Day and they want to know now what you are going to do. So, for me, going forward in terms of representing the people of Aberconwy, I want to know why in the £4 million that you’ve announced today there’s no mention there for Conwy. I will actually meet with you again to discuss that.

But, I can tell you now, the A55: we had 100 people who stayed overnight in Llanfairfechan community centre because they were literally stranded. Yes, Boxing Day, stranded in north Wales when they needed—. They had families that they needed to get home to. Not good enough. The A55 is now frequently, on a daily basis, either affected by accidents, by frost or by flooding. You know, Minister, that the drains there have needed maintenance for quite some time. When are you going to sort those problems out?