Geraint Davies, MP for Swansea West, today told the government that a strategic overview was needed to tackle flooding caused by climate change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that a warming world will lead to more extreme rainfall, with the UK receiving around 10 per cent more rainfall on average per year by 2100, making flooding like that recently experienced in Wales more likely.

Geraint Davies, Swansea West MP, said, “Communities in south Wales have been devastated by flooding, and extreme weather, caused by climate change, will put areas more at risk.

“The government need to provide more support on coastlines, in certain parts of north Wales and also in Swansea, where there is a great deal of tidal flood risk.

“As the former head of flood risk management across Wales with executive power to invest in flood defences, I know that the needs of Wales are dictated by its topography. The steep sloping valleys give rise to fast flash flooding, and over time climate change is increasing that risk.

The south Wales Valleys are expected to see as much as 50% more rain in the next decade, according to Liz Bentley of the Royal Meteorological Society.

Mr Davies added: “The government should develop an overview of the strategic difference that climate change will make so that we can respond appropriately in areas like south Wales that are particularly affected.

“We can’t just sit around and hope that we don’t have more bad weather. We must start building those defences now it we are going to mitigate the worst effects of climate change for the future.”