As part of the Plan for Change, the Government is committing a record two-year investment of £2.65 billion into flood defence measures. According to Defra farmers, businesses and over 66,000 properties will benefit from the programme.
In addition, the Government has committed £50 million to internal drainage boards (IDBs), and the Environment Agency has also confirmed that 34 natural flood management projects will move ahead to delivery. These projects, which are located across England, will use nature to increase the nation’s flood resilience.
According to the Government, it inherited flood assets in their poorest condition on record, as years of underinvestment and damaging storms left 3,000 of the Environment Agency’s 38,000 high-consequence assets at below the required condition.
Up to 1000 projects are set to receive a share of the funding. Projects receiving funding include:
- Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme in Somerset, which will receive £43 million.
- The Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme “Our City Our River”, which is set to receive £35 million.
- In the West Midlands, the Beales Corner project, which protects communities in Bewdley, will benefit from £2 million.
- An additional £3.5 million for the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defences in Dorset
- Support for property flood resilience schemes across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, receiving £2.5 million.
Environment Agency Chair Alan Lovell said: “The impact of flooding on our communities will only become greater as climate change brings more extreme weather, like Storms Bert, Conall and Éowyn.
“With this new funding, we will work closely with the Government to deliver the vital projects that are needed across the country, ensuring our investment goes to those communities who need it the most.”
