Flood defences benefit 145,000 homes

22/02/2012

Flood defences due to be rolled out over the next three years will see more than 145,000 homes better protected.

Some 60 flood and coastal risk schemes are to be implemented from the start of the next financial year. Around half are in areas of significant flood risk, and almost 15,000 households are both at significant flood risk and in the most deprived parts of the country.

More than 25,000 homes will be better protected in the next year alone.

The schemes were announced by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency (EA). Latest estimates indicate the EA should be on track to exceed its target of better protection for 145,000 homes by 2015.

Areas to benefit include Warrington in Cheshire, where more than 1,900 households will be protected, Salmons Brook in North London, protecting over 1,300 households and Godmanchester in Cambridgeshire, protecting upwards of 300 households.

Flooding can devastate communities, with homes and shops suffering hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. Costs can be recovered on home insurance policies but the damage can be devastating nonetheless.

Richard Benyon, minister for the natural environment and fisheries, said: "These new flood defence schemes will bring huge relief to tens of thousands of households.

"Our investment will protect these communities from the devastating effects of flooding, and allow residents to live without the fear and worry of their homes being damaged."

Copyright © Press Association 2012.