Flood Defence Spending announcement

[boatone]

Cant see any mention of the non tidal Thames area at all !
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...somerset-dorset-wiltshire-and-gloucestershire

Actually, there appears ti be some Thames area works included but you need to dig down into the Google interactive map to find it:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=zDlYgkD0zbyk.kkxJV47hNuMs

 

[prof pat pending]

Apparently they pledged £42M to the scheme in Oxford

 

[Gavi]

It is in the detail of the National Infrastructure Plan:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-plan-2014

Download the pdf and there is a brief mention of Datchet to Teddington on page 81 (section 9.14). Then in the "Top 40" document it is in section 38. Work begins 2019-2020 and will take 5 years. And already there is a debate around the fact that not enough funding is allocated so Surrey CC will need to find budget from somewhere....

 

[534l4rk]

It is in the detail of the National Infrastructure Plan:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-plan-2014

Download the pdf and there is a brief mention of Datchet to Teddington on page 81 (section 9.14). Then in the "Top 40" document it is in section 38. Work begins 2019-2020 and will take 5 years. And already there is a debate around the fact that not enough funding is allocated so Surrey CC will need to find budget from somewhere....

Please see below a press release from Philip Hammond about funding for the Lower Thames Flood Alleviation Scheme. Philips regular article in this week’s edition of the Surrey Herald will set out more detail the costs for the local authorities and other partners.

Further details will be announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Autumn Statement at 12.30pm tomorrow, 3rd December.
Extra £60 million Government cash secures go-ahead for Thames Flood Scheme

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has today announced that the Lower Thames will receive a total of £220 million public investment.

The £300 million scheme will receive an estimated £165m as part of the Government’s flood defence allocation programme, with all funding for development and pre-construction now in place.

But the Government have today gone above and beyond this allocation, and have pledged an additional £60 million of new funding, available from 2021. This means the Government will fund around 75% of the current estimated costs, with local authorities and other partners meeting the remaining cost. This is a victory for local Conservative MPs who have campaigned hard for this extra funding.

This scheme will increase the capacity of the River Thames between Datchet and Teddington locks and reduce the flood risk in Windsor and Maidenhead, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Elmbridge, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond.

It will protect up to 15,000 households on completion.

George Osborne said:

“Thanks to our long term economic plan, we can invest in the future infrastructure that the UK needs, including flood defences. Households sitting along the Lower Thames were badly hit by last winter’s storms, which were a reminder of the threat we face from flooding. That's why we are investing record amounts in Britain’s flood defence systems.

“For the Lower Thames scheme, this will mean £220 million funding – with the Government covering 75 per cent of the current estimated costs - and 15,000 homes protected. And I pay tribute to the fierce campaign fought by local Conservative MPs for the additional £60 million funding beyond the capital programme.

“This investment is a key part of our long-term economic plan, and will deliver safety and security to the thousands of families and businesses that need better protection.

"Runnymede and Weybridge MP Philip Hammond, who is the Prime Minister’s Flood Recovery Envoy for the Thames Valley, welcomed the announcement:

“This is great news for the long-suffering inhabitants of Surrey and Berkshire who live in constant fear of the Thames bursting its banks. The extra cash means that, at long last, the scheme will go ahead and we will enjoy a permanent solution to the scourge of river flooding.”

 

[oldgit]

A cynic might inquire if the "new " money is equal to, the amounts cut from the EA budget but few short years ago ?
Presumably its all been recovered. ?

"This week a highly critical report by the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee questioned how Defra – one of the smallest governmental departments – could sustain further reductions of more than £300m over the coming two years. Spending has already been slashed by £500m since 2010." Farmers Guardian.