A total of £12.5 million is to be invested in new temporary flood defences around the UK.

In the UK Government's National Flood Resilience Review, Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom revealed new barriers and high volume pumps were being developed at seven locations across the country.

The review, which has been designed on the lesson's learnt from last winter's severe flooding, also included utility companies' commitment to increase flood protection of their key local infrastructure, such as phone networks and water treatment works, so they are resilient to extreme flooding.

In addition, a new stress test will be created on the risk of flooding from rivers and the sea in England. The Met Office forecasts of extreme rainfall scenarios will be linked with Environment Agency modelling to provide a new assessment of flood risk.


Speaking today, 08 September, Ms Leadsom said: "Last winter we saw just how devastating flooding can be. This review sets out clear actions so we are better prepared to respond quickly in the event of future flooding and can strengthen the nation's flood defences.

"Work is already underway towards £12.5 million of new temporary defences stationed around England, better protection for our infrastructure and new flood modelling that makes better use of data and technology.

"We are absolutely committed to reducing the risk of flooding by investing £2.5 billion up to 2021 so we can help protect families, homes and businesses this winter."

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, added: "We worked closely with the government on this review. I welcome these plans setting out how the country can become more resilient to flooding in future. The extra funding will help us to do even more for local communities so that we can better protect homes and businesses and respond even more rapidly and flexibly when extreme weather strikes."

The review builds on £2.5 billion already pledged between 2015 – 2021 to strengthen flood/coastal defences, as well as spending £1bn on maintaining the nation's flood defences during this Parliament.

(LM/CD)