12/04/2006
- The Environment Agency is today announcing an
extra £2.5 million to reduce the risk of
flooding to people and property in the south west.
The South West Regional Flood
Defence Committee bids for additional money and
received a total of £19 million from central
government to invest in the region. This represents
an increase of 15 per cent from 2005-2006 and
56 per cent from 2004-2005.
The money will ensure that existing
flood defence schemes are properly maintained
and improved. Money will also be spent on building
new flood defence schemes at St Ives, and Truro
in Cornwall, Shaldon in South Devon, and Sutton
Harbour in Plymouth.
The Committee also has the power
to raise a local levy on county and unitary authorities
that is used to fund local priorities that are
not funded nationally. For 2006-2007 this levy
amounts to £450,000 and will be used to
fund schemes at Bampton and Coombe Martin in Devon
and to investigate potential options at Polperro
and Looe in Cornwall.
The flood defence committee,
that meets today in Exeter, is made up of representatives
from the Department for Environment Food and Rural
Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency, Devon
and Cornwall County Councils, Torbay Council and
Plymouth City Council.
Chairman of the Committee Clive
Gronow said:
‘This announcement is excellent
news for the south west and shows the benefits
of a committee that builds partnership between
local authorities and the Environment Agency.’
‘Climate change means that the
risk from extreme rainfall and coastal surges
in the region are growing. Devastating floods
happen here, like those in autumn 2000 and more
recently in Boscastle.’
‘But managing the risk of flooding
is not just about building flood defences. We
will also use the money to raise public awareness
about flooding and the need for households and
business to take action. We are also working to
improve flood forecasting and warning across the
region.’
To find out if you are at risk of flooding as
well as how to prepare for flooding phone Floodline
on 0845 988 1188.
