North East flooding defence fund

Residents in the North East of England have been given a boost with news that the Environment Agency (EA) has earmarked £18.3 million to fund flood defences and coastal erosion protection measures in the region for the financial year 2010/2011.

Of this, a total of £14.6 million is allocated for flood risk management projects and flood warning service improvements. This figure has increased from £9.7 million in the previous financial year. The total budget allocated to the EA for flood protection and coastal erosion in England and Wales is £745 million.

The funding is aimed predominantly at helping communities that have suffered with flooding in previous years. The cost of flooding to local communities and businesses can be high, especially if people have inadequate home insurance coverage.

The Environment Agency’s north east flood and coastal risk manager Ian Hodge said:
“This is excellent news for people across the north east. We, together with our partners such as local authorities, will invest over £18 million on protecting lives and property from flooding and coastal erosion in the year to March 2011.

“The 2007 floods cost homeowners, businesses, emergency services and others some £3.2 billion. The high costs of flooding underline the importance of continued investment in reducing flood risk, particularly in face of the more frequent and heavy storms and rising sea levels that will come with climate change.

“Whilst continued investment is crucial, flooding cannot always be prevented so communities must also take responsibility for being prepared – for example by signing up to the Environment Agency’s free flood warning service.”

*The full press release from the Environment Agency can be found here:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/116061.aspx?month=2&year=2010&sector=Flood&persona=Home