Better protection for people on the coast
A blueprint to help to deliver improved protection for people and property from coastal flooding and erosion has today been set out by Phil Woolas, Minister for Climate Change and Flooding.
The Environment Agency’s Strategic Overview Implementation Plan sets out how Government will work with the Environment Agency, local authorities and coastal flooding groups to improve the prioritisation and management of all work on the coast.
Mr Woolas said:
“Recent events have reinforced just how devastating and lasting the effects of flooding can be to people and property. If we are to protect ourselves from the impacts of our changing climate we have to take a strategic approach that ensures flood defences and coastal protection are cost effective and sustainable for the long term. This plan will help to deliver that.
Following widespread consultation, Defra announced in June that the Environment Agency would oversee the management of all flood and erosion risk on the English coast from 1 April 2008.
There are currently 92 coastal local authorities responsible for coastal erosion works, some of which also carry out sea flooding work. At present the Environment Agency oversees the majority of sea flooding works, but doesn’t have a role in coastal erosion. Both local authorities and the Environment Agency currently put forward local projects, which if successful are funded directly by Government.
Once this important blueprint has been fully implemented, the Environment Agency’s strategic overview role means that they will be responsible for the funding of all coastal work as well as overseeing its delivery. Government will still set the criteria that projects will need to meet in order to receive funding.
Actions within the plan include:
- closer working with Regional Flood Defence Committees and Coastal Groups in order to better plan for flood and coastal erosion risk management, locally;
- giving the Environment Agency responsibility for ensuring consistent production of quality shoreline management plans;
- ensuring the Environment Agency produces coastal maps that will clarify the current complex responsibilities for the coastline; and
- providing the Environment Agency with powers that will enable them to assume this new role through minor amendments to primary legislation where necessary.
Further information
Page published: 13 December 2007