Over 1,000 flood schemes will be built or repaired to protect
thousands of homes and businesses from the dangers of flooding,
the Government and Environment Agency have announced.
Investing a record £2.65 billion over two years towards the
construction of new flood schemes and the repair and maintenance
of existing ones, the government has published today the full
list of projects supported over the next year.
During the two-year investment, 1,000 flood schemes have been or
will continue to be supported. This year around £430 million is
going towards their construction, while a further £220 million
will be used to reinstate flood defences to their full standard
of service and original design life to help protect communities.
Further funding has been earmarked for repairing existing flood
assets utilised in flood events, such as pumps, as well as
important activity to warn and inform the public of flooding
risks.
As the frequency of extreme weather
events continues to increase due to climate change, there are
more and more devastating impacts for communities across the
country, costing the UK economy billions each year.
This investment is part of the
Government's Plan for Change, delivering security for working
people and renewal for our country. It will boost economic growth
in local communities, by protecting businesses, delivering new
jobs, and supporting a stable economy in the face of the
increasing risk of flooding as a result of climate
change.
Floods Minister
said:
“The role of Government is to
protect its citizens. However, we inherited flood defences in
their worst condition on record.
“Through our Plan for Change, this
government will deliver a decade of national renewal and economic
growth. As part of that we are investing a record £2.65 billion to build and repair over
1,000 flood defences across the country.”
Flagship schemes to receive funding this year include:
- Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme in Derbyshire, which will
receive £34.6 million and protect 673 homes.
- North Portsea Island Coastal Flood and Erosion Risk
Management Scheme in Hampshire, which will receive £13.8 million
and protect 1,081 homes.
- Preston and South Ribble Flood Risk Management Scheme in
Lancashire, which will receive £10.4 million and protect 1,537
homes.
- Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defences in Dorset, which
will receive £12.2 million and protect 135 homes.
- Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management Scheme in
Suffolk, which will receive £10.1 million and protect 86
homes.
- Brighouse Flood Alleviation Scheme in Yorkshire, which will
receive £5 million and protect 414 homes.
Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and
Coastal Risk Management for the Environment Agency,
said:
“Protecting communities in England from the devastating impact of
flooding is our priority and this is more important than ever as
climate change brings more extreme weather to the nation.
“The delivery of these schemes will be welcome news for
homeowners and businesses, who have experienced flooding in the
past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues
to change.
“Our focus is now on working with local councils and Regional
Flood and Coastal Committees to deliver these schemes on time,
ensuring as many properties as possible are protected.”
The Government has prioritised
£140 million to ensure that 29 schemes, which are in progress but
struggling with cost pressures, can be delivered without further
delays, protecting nearby communities as soon as possible. The
list of supported schemes has also been confirmed by the
Environment Agency and includes flood defences in Great Yarmouth
and the Alverstoke Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk
Management Scheme on the south coast.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- The attached list covers projects receiving funding in
2025/6.
- Schemes proceeding in 2026/7 and beyond will be subject to
the routine RFCC consenting process and decisions at SR25.
