A public exhibition will be held in Neuadd Dwyfor Pwllheli on Wednesday and Thursday, 29-30 September, that will be an opportunity for local people to discuss possible solutions to cope with increased flooding risks in the town caused by climate change.
The Pwllheli Pilot scheme is an innovative project – one of only three in Wales – looking at alternative ways to deal with flooding caused by extreme weather and higher tides.
Gwynedd Council is working in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, the Environment Agency, Countryside Council for Wales and Welsh Water on this scheme and is eager for the local community contribute to the project by sharing their views on how best to negotiate changing conditions.
A hydraulic model will show visitors to the exhibition some of the possible options the partners are considering to lessen the impact of flooding.
After this consultation period, a comprehensive, long term strategy will be produced which will outline how the partners believe how we can adapt to the flooding dangers which Pwllheli and the surrounding area may face. The long term strategy will also form the framework for advising and considering strategic solutions to current flooding problems.
Councillor Gareth Roberts, who leads on the Environment on Gwynedd Council, said:
“We are very aware today that climate change can cause more extreme weather conditions and possibly higher tides, which of course will have an impact on coastal towns such as Pwllheli. It is essential that we all consider the affect this can have on how we live and work and that we plan ahead.
“We cannot ignore the problem, and traditional solutions such as building sea defences are just not sustainable. This is our chance to think of innovative and fresh ideas so that we can implement long term strategies to deal with the affects of rising sea levels and higher rain fall.
“Gwynedd Council is working with our partners on the Pwllheli Pilot project to try and have as much control as possible over how these problems will affect how people live and work in Pwllheli. The opinions of local people and businesses are essential and I would urge all those who are interested in this important issue to call by the exhibition.”
The exhibition will be held at Neuadd Dwyfor, Pwllheli on Wednesday, 29 September 2010 from 10am to 8pm and on Thursday, 30 September 2010 from 10am to 4pm. Officers will be present to answer questions and to talk about the project.
