More than £13 million has been spent on flood protection in Penrith and the Border since 2015, and local Dr Neil Hudson MP, welcomes the Government’s pledge to double spending on the issue in the next six-year period. With flooding a frequent and serious problem in Penrith and The Border, many people, their homes and businesses are better protected from flooding, thanks to this funding
- Already, a monumental £13,422,000 has been spent in Penrith and The Border, to protect houses, business and agricultural land from the devastating effects of flooding.
- Nationally the Government has exceeded its initial targets with more than 314,000 homes and 58,000 acres of agricultural land better protected from flooding since 2015.
- The flood defences targeted towards the areas that need them most have saved the economy more than £28 billion in damages to homes and businesses in communities across the country.
The £2.6 billion six-year programme of work dedicated to improving flood and coastal defences has exceeded its original targets – with over 314,000 homes now better protected from flooding.
The Conservative Government’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan outlines how a record £5.2 billion of investment over the next six years will be spent, including more than £860 million in 2021–22 on boosting the design and construction of more than 1,000 flooding alleviation schemes.
More than 850 new flood and coastal erosion defence projects have already been completed. Over 580,000 acres of agricultural land, as well as thousands of businesses, communities and major infrastructure have been protected – including more than 8,000 kilometres of roads.
The Conservative Government’s funding prioritised areas where flood defences were needed the most, supporting communities at high risk of flooding. New flood schemes in the most deprived parts of the country have also qualified for funding at 2.25 times the rate of other areas. According to estimates, the programme has saved the economy more than £28 billion in damages to homes and businesses through the extra protection provided to communities across the country.
Dr Neil Hudson MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“This Government funding is really good news for the people of Penrith and The Border and should rightly be celebrated.
“I’ve spoken to residents time and again about the near-constant worry of flooding and there is hardly a town or village in the constituency that hasn’t been affected by the issue. From Eamont Bridge to Appleby, people’s lives are turned upside down far too often as they fall victim to extreme weather.
“That’s why I’m so pleased to be able to shout about the money being invested here in Penrith and The Border by the Conservative Government . £13 million is a huge sum - that has gone towards protecting homes, businesses and agricultural land with vital flood alleviation schemes – and I welcome the Government’s decision to double investment during the next six-year period.
“With extreme weather events becoming more and more common, this money should be a massive boost to communities and to people’s peace of mind.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to shine a light on the amazing work of community resilience groups that help prevent flooding and provide immense support to those in need when disaster strikes. From making people aware of river levels, to moving furniture when the water rises, the likes of Appleby Emergency Response Group and Patterdale Parish Community Flood Group do a stellar job and I sincerely thank them for their efforts.”
Environment Secretary George Eustice said:
“Our programme of work has protected over 314,000 properties, defending people, communities, and businesses from flooding and coastal erosion. We know that there is still more to do, so we are doubling our investment with a record £5.2 billion over the next six years.”
