GovWire

Earlier flood protection for thousands of homes in the North West

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

March 18
13:41 2015

The government is bringing forward more than 16 million of the six-year flood defence programme announced in December to better protect more than 2,700 homes from flooding sooner than planned in the North West.

2 flood defence projects, as part of the long-term investment programme, will start earlier than previously announced.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:

What todays announcement means is greater peace of mind for thousands of people who are at risk from flooding across the North West.

Work will begin on 2 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 West are:

  • The development of Fairhaven and Church Scar coast protection programme has been brought forward by three years to ensure that around 2,100 homes are better protected from flooding.
  • The development of the scheme at Broadgate and Lower Penwortham in Preston has been brought forward by a year and will protect 2,900 homes, of which around 600 are planned to be better protected by 2021.

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 Environment Agency is working to replace 2km of existing sea wall and promenade at Rossall and Anchorshome, along the Fylde coast in Lancashire. The scheme will reduce flood risk to over 14,000 homes and businesses and reduce flooding of local roads, tramway network, a major sewage pumping station and public utilities. The new sea defences will also provide an improved promenade and recreational areas. The scheme will cost around 100 million. The Environment Agency is planning to complete works in Anchorsholme by 2016 and in Rossall by 2018.

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