PARTS of Wales face a “New Orleans type” flooding disaster unless sea defences are bolstered, the leader of a coastal action group warned yesterday.

A report by consultants HR Wallingford in 1999 warned of grave consequences within 10 to 12 years for Tywyn and Aberdyfi, in Gwynedd, if action was not taken to strengthen defences.

The consultants predicted extensive loss of properties and infrastructure, including a railway line, a sewage works and a golf course, running to millions of pounds worth of damage.

But chair of the Tywyn and Aberdyfi Coast Protection Group Mike Stevens says that, almost a decade on, no work has yet been carried out. In a report entitled “Assembly Government Complacency Threatens Town & Farm Land with New Orleans Type Disaster” Mr Stevens claims officials at Gwynedd Council and the Assembly have decided the defences are now safe for the next 20 to 50 years.

HR Wallingford’s original “second opinion” report warned of the potential loss of the Cambrian Coast railway line north of Tywyn, cutting off connections to Porthmadog, Pwllheli and the Lln Peninsula. It also stated the golf club at Aberdyfi, which is a major source of income for the area, could be partially lost. The consultants put the potential cost of damage, if nothing was done, at between £8.8m and £19.6m.

The criticism comes as the new head of the Environment Agency, Lord Smith of Finsbury, has warned Britain will struggle to defend its coastline in the future.

Elsewhere in Wales, Rhossili, on the Gower peninsula, is on a list of 10 locations drawn up by the National Trust as at risk from coastal erosion.

Read the full story by Darren Devine on the Wales Online website