Added 10/10/2008            Return to home page

 

Written answers

Thursday, 9 October 2008

 

Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Flood Control
 

Photo of David DrewDavid Drew (Stroud, Labour) | Hansard source

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what opportunities exist for demonstration projects to develop solutions to down stream flooding problems; what criteria are in place for funding support either by his Department or the Environment Agency; and what particular assistance may be available to communities in the Gloucestershire area because of the floods in July 2007.

Photo of Hilary BennHilary Benn (Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Leeds Central, Labour) | Hansard source

The Government's budget for flood management is targeted to achieve the maximum possible benefit. DEFRA guidance directs delivery bodies to consider all options at a catchment scale to reduce downstream flooding problems. In order to encourage the adoption of such projects at a local scale, on 4 July, I announced that £500,000 will be made available to fund a project to demonstrate how land management change can reduce downstream flooding. Outline proposals were invited by 29 August with a view to selecting a number of projects for more detailed assessment before committing funding for implementation. The criteria for this project are that:

there is a recognised flooding problem that could be helped by changes proposed;

the scheme will produce multiple benefits;

project partners are able to secure the land management changes necessary; and

DEFRA's funding will be supplemented by contributions from other sources where appropriate, recognising multiple benefits of the project.

In the meantime the Environment Agency is promoting and supporting catchment projects at a local level. For example, the Environment Agency recently assisted Water 21, an environmental organisation engaged by local residents, which was looking to secure funding for works in the wider Slad Brook catchment in Gloucestershire. The Environment Agency provided river and general catchment data, gave advice on the technical aspects of its work and guidance on proposed actions. The project covers a number of aspects including measures to reduce flooding downstream in Stroud.

The Environment Agency also has a proposal to construct a flood storage reservoir upstream of New Mills Trading Estate on the Slad Brook to reduce flooding in the town. The £500,000 proposal has recently been submitted to the Severn Trent Regional Flood Defence Committee for local funding in 2009-10. The project is competing against a number of other projects in the region and elsewhere. Funding is limited and the projects supported will be selected on their merits against the criteria above. We expect to make a decision in October on which project or projects will taken forward for further assessment before confirming funding for delivery in the new year.

 

Comments

No comments
 

Type your public comment

Please read our House Rules before posting your first comment.