Written - Sir Michael Pitt’s Review on the summer 2007 floods

Today, Sir Michael Pitt published his review of last summer’s floods. I welcome this report and particularly the lessons learnt about our response to what was one of the most extreme flood events to affect the UK in living memory.

Such events are likely to become more frequent given the current forecasts of the impacts of climate change.

While Wales was fortunate to have escaped the worst of last summer’s severe weather, and Sir Michael Pitt’s review and recommendations apply primarily to England, Wales is just as vulnerable as those areas of England which were affected. The Assembly Government is determined to learn the lessons set out in Sir Michael Pitt’s report and to do as much as possible to ensure that, should such an event occur in Wales, that we are able to respond rapidly and effectively.

It was for this reason that, when Sir Michael Pitt’s interim report was published in December 2007, I asked my officials to consider its relevance to Wales and to prepare an action plan aimed at improving our current arrangements.

In my Oral Statement to Plenary on 21 May, I described what actions were being taken as a consequence to improve our preparedness for such events.

I am pleased to report that good progress continues particularly with regard to mapping critical surface water drainage areas across Wales, taking forward our strategic planning and sharing information between professional partners including emergency planners and services.

I will be considering Sir Michael Pitt’s final report over the summer and will develop additional actions in those areas where further improvements can be made.

One of the more significant recommendations is the need to update and streamline existing legislation relating to flood and coastal risk and its management.

This legislation stems from the 1930s and there is clearly a need for it to be modernised to take account of all sources of flooding, to clarify roles and responsibilities and to facilitate a move to a risk management approach to flood and coastal matters.

Last month the UK Government announced its intention to publish a draft Flood and Water Bill. I will be working closely with UK Government colleagues to ensure that, through this Bill, the Assembly Government has whatever powers are necessary to enable these risks to be effectively managed and to help Wales successfully adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.