‘Record investment’ for ‘shovel-ready’ flood defence projects in England
Written by News on 14/07/2020
An extra £170m is being allocated to “shovel-ready” flood defence projects across England, the government says.
The funding is on top of a £5.2bn package to build around 2,000 flood and coastal defences that will protect 336,000 properties by 2027.
The £170m package will see work start on 22 other projects this year, the government said.
They include:
- Up to £21m for the second phase of a flood prevention scheme in Leeds, protecting more than 370 businesses and enabling development of land for homes and jobs
- £1.3m for “natural flood management” to reduce the flow of rainwater into the River Aire in Yorkshire
- Up to £30m for the Severn Valley and £5m in Tenbury Wells to protect almost 3,000 homes in areas badly flooded last winter
- £5.4m for tree-planting and creating habitat to reduce the risk of flooding and store carbon throughout the Severn Valley
- Almost £43.5m for a tidal barrier and flood walls in Lowestoft and the Suffolk coast to protect key infrastructure and businesses and support offshore energy and tourism
Other schemes include protecting critical infrastructure on the coast around Brighton, Hove and Shoreham; restoring peatland in the Peak District; and protecting Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire.
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Last winter I saw for myself the misery and upheaval that flooding can bring to lives and livelihoods and I said we would do more to help people.
“This long-term plan will help push back the flood waters and protect hundreds of thousands of homes, businesses and livelihoods.
“Our record investment will also stimulate economic growth across the UK as we build back better.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “The devastating impacts of last winter’s flooding were an important reminder of the need to continue to invest and accelerate action to reduce the impact of flooding on our communities.
“Our record investment and ambitious policies will better protect homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, but we also recognise that we cannot prevent flooding entirely, which is why we will ensure that communities at high risk are more resilient.”
There are also proposed changes to the government and insurance industry Flood Re scheme, including cheaper premiums for homes that have protection measures such as air brick covers.
The government will also review the policy for building in areas at risk of floods and expand flood warning systems.
(c) Sky News 2020: ‘Record investment’ for ‘shovel-ready’ flood defence projects in England
