Engineering news
Construction of 93 new flood defences, which will provide better flood protection for almost 65,000 homes, has been given the green light by the government today.
The UK government has pledged to spend £294 million on flood risk management this year which will see 165,000 homes benefit from the improved defences by 2015, according to the Environment Agency.
As part of the spending the government announced additional funding for projects in Exeter and Ipswich, which they say will unlock economic growth, protect businesses and create thousands of jobs.
Environment secretary Owen Paterson said: “The 93 schemes given the green light today will bring huge relief to tens of thousands of homes and businesses that have lived with the fear of flood waters hitting their doors. They can get on with their daily lives and work knowing that there are well built defences.
“This is also a message to the business community. By building defences that will unlock the economic potential of once blighted land we are saying to them that it is safe to come and set up. This will create jobs and grow the economy so we can compete in the global race.”
It is hoped that Exeter’s new flood defences will create over 1,000 jobs and protect businesses that employ 4,700 people. They will provide better protection of land for business development as well as major rail and sewerage infrastructure, and over 2,000 homes.
Ipswich's tidal barrier will improve flood protection to ten hectares of development land, attracting more business to the area and creating 4,000 jobs, goverment said.
Chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander, said: “The government is getting on with building better flood defences across the country. We’re protecting another 165,000 homes by 2015, providing security for homeowners and businesses alike.
“Extra funding that we announced at Autumn Statement to boost growth is already being allocated to areas where flood defences will unlock new development and job opportunities, creating a stronger economy and a fairer society.”
Other flood defence projects given the go ahead:
- £14.5 million flood defences at Grimsby Docks in Lincolnshire, which will better protect over 14,000 homes and businesses.
- £10.8 million scheme on the east bank of the River Arun at Littlehampton in West Sussex, protecting the town and 750 homes.
- £28.6 million sea defence to protect over 2,000 homes in Great Yarmouth.
As well as the flood schemes that will progress as result of this year’s funding, the allocation for 2013/14 covers maintenance of existing defences.
External partners, including local authorities, have contributed to flood defence projects since 2011.
Partnership funded flood defence projects for include:
- £50.5 million scheme in Leeds that will protect 495 businesses and create over 18,000 jobs. Leeds City Council is contributing £10 million towards the cost of the scheme, with a further £5 million proposed to be raised from local businesses.
- New sea defences at Anchorsholme in Lancashire that will reduce the risk of flooding to 6,000 homes and highway, tramway and sewerage infrastructure. Blackpool Borough Council has contributed £4 million toward the total cost of £28.4 million.
- The £9.7 million Skipton scheme in North Yorkshire will reduce flooding to over 350 residential and 165 business properties in the market town. £2 million of the project cost has been brought forward by local businesses.