PONTYPRIDD Senedd Member Mick Antoniw has called on Welsh Government to make an immediate emergency payment to flood victims resulting from Storm Bert.
Mick Antoniw said: “Sunday’s terrible flooding was devastating for all those affected. Our immediate priority must be to support those families, and I have spoken to the First and to the Deputy First Ministers and also to the Welsh Government’s Finance Minister to press them to make an emergency financial payment.
“It is likely that many of the affected residents will face costs before any insurance payment are received, and others may not have insurance. An emergency payment will go some way to helping families meet these immediate challenges.”
Commenting on the scale of the flooding that occurred in Pontypridd Mick Antoniw added: “I have tabled an emergency question at the Senedd, which I hope will be selected for debate tomorrow.
“Whilst the number of properties affected compared to 2020 is reduced – reflecting the c.£70M invested by Welsh Government and RCT Council in flood defences – that is of no consolation to those who have been flooded for a second time, and for whom insurance has not been available.
“In particular areas, for example around Sion Street in Trallwng, Egypt Street in Treforest and Oxford Street in Nantgarw, more protection is needed. There also needs to be an urgent review of the Met office yellow/amber/red warning systems.
“Yesterday I visited a number of affected areas and later with Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies MS and I would like to put on record my thanks to all the emergency and local authority teams, together with many local residents who helped to keep people and properties safe.”
