THE Welsh Government’s approach to tackling and managing coastal flooding has been “deeply complacent”, a Gwent AM has claimed.

Monmouth’s Nick Ramsay was speaking after a report by the Welsh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee said there was a “distinct lack of leadership” around the issue.

The committee has raised particular concerns around ‘managed retreat’, where the coastal line is redrawn as a result of erosion, potentially resulting in coastal communities having to be relocated.

Mr Ramsay said: “When the committee asked the Welsh Government about the lack of progress on the issue of managed retreat, we were told that it was something that wouldn’t manifest itself in 50 to 100 years.

“We find this to be a deeply complacent statement, which is symptomatic of the problems with coastal flooding and risk management, and has led us to have grave concerns about the pace of action from the Welsh Government.”

Responsibility for dealing with flooding and erosion is shared by organisations including councils, Natural Resources Wales, water providers and Network Rail, and the committee has said the Welsh Government should set up a national strategy for all these bodies to follow.

A Welsh Government spokesman said: “We are aware of this report from the Public Accounts Committee.

“We do, however, strongly disagree with some of the report’s reflections.

“We will consider the report and its recommendations in detail and the cabinet secretary will provide a formal response in due course.”