Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The government is bringing forward more than 4 million of the six-year flood defence programme announced in December to better protect more than 480 homes from flooding sooner than planned in the North East.
A brand new scheme at Craster Harbour has been given the green light as part of the long-term investment programme and work will start on another 9 flood defence projects earlier than previously announced.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:
What todays announcement means is greater peace of mind for those who are at risk from flooding across the North East.
Work will begin on 9 flood defence projects sooner than originally planned. This is another example of infrastructure funded by the UK Government as part of our long-term economic plan.
Key projects across the North East include:
- The development of a scheme at Newmarket Walk in South Shields has been brought forward by two years to protect 85 homes.
- The Guisborough Flood Alleviation scheme at Skelton Beck and Chapel Beck has been brought forward by two years and will protect 94 homes.
- The development of a new scheme at Craster Harbour will begin in 2017/18 to provide better protection from flooding to around 50 homes in the area.
The government is bringing forward more than 140 million of the 2.3 billion six-year flood defence programme announced in December to better protect more than 31,000 homes and businesses from flooding sooner than planned.
47 brand new schemes have been given the green light as part of the long-term investment programme and work will start on another 165 flood defence projects earlier than previously announced.
The 6 year programme represents a real terms increase in expenditure and will reduce flood risk across the country by 5%.
230,000 homes have been better protected from the risk of flooding and coastal erosion so far this Parliament.
Environment Agency Chairman Sir Philip Dilley said:
This programme of more than 1,500 flood risk management schemes will significantly reduce flood risk to more than 300,000 properties in England by 2021, benefiting people, the economy and the environment. Government funding has also been brought forward meaning that over 30,000 properties will benefit from reduced flood risk earlier than originally planned.
Our priority is to do as much as we can with every pound of funding from government and local partners, but of course the risk of flooding can never be entirely eliminated. With one in six homes in England at risk of flooding, I encourage people to check their flood risk and sign up to the Environment Agencys free flood warning service.
Notes to Editors
Please visit here for further information on the schemes.
Picture caption:
The newly-completed flood wall in Stanhope, County Durham, part of a 250,000 project to reduce flooding from the River Wear for more than 100 homes. Work was completed earlier this month.