Environment Secretary announces new initiatives to strengthen flood defence

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has this week announced an investigation into additional flood protection measures to better safeguard communities across Cumbria.

The newly established Cumbrian Floods Partnership will consider how flood defences in the region can be improved, examine upstream options for reducing the intensity of water flow at peak times, and cultivate stronger links between local residents, community groups and flood defence planning.

The partnership, which will be comprised of local authorities, the Environment Agency and community flood defence groups, is to be chaired by Floods Minister Rory Stewart. A Cumbria Action Plan will now be readied for a summer 2016 release.

In addition, the Environment Secretary also announced a National Flood Resilience Review to better protect the country from the threat of extreme weather events. As part of the review the government will update its ‘worst case scenario’ planning, take into account the future impacts of climate change, and carry out a risk assessment of critical infrastructure such as electricity substations.

To be published next summer, the National Flood Resilience Review will be led by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Letwin and include the Government’s Chief Scientist, Defra, DECC, DCLG, HMT and the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency.

Elizabeth Truss said: “We are already spending £2.3Bn over the next six years to better protect 300,000 homes from flooding, but we need to be sure we have the very best possible plans in place for flood prevention and protection across the whole country.

“We will take prompt action where we identify any gaps in our approach and where our defences and modelling need strengthening.”

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “Our thoughts are with people who have experienced flooding this week. Our teams are on the ground providing support to these communities as part of a multi-agency response, checking and maintaining flood defences, pumping out flood water, clearing blockages in rivers, monitoring water levels and working with local flood wardens in the areas worst affected.

“Whenever an exceptional event happens it’s important to review what happened and how to prepare for the future. With a £60M fund to help with recovery in Cumbria, in addition to the £2.3Bn government have committed to protect homes from floods across the country, we have the resources necessary to manage flood risk in England. The National Flood Resilience Review and the Cumbria Floods Partnership give government, the Environment Agency and community groups the forums to review and ensure we are directing our resources to protect people most effectively.”

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