Fear that Lancashire town’s flood prevention cash ‘could be cancelled’
A national funding ‘crisis’ may see the project cancelled
Flood defence money for a Lancashire town has been thrown into doubt in a ‘bombshell’ announcement by the government-linked Environment Agency, the leader of Pendle Council has said.
There have been hopes that Earby would get £2.5 million for flood alleviation work, potentially including the creation of a new small reservoir, through a ‘frequently flooded communities’ programme with the Environment Agency.
'crisis'
But now, a national funding ‘crisis’ may see the project cancelled, Lib-Dem Coun David Whipp fears.
According to a recent Pendle Council report for the West Craven area committee, the risk of flooding is likely to increase in future due to predicted climate change. In recent years some phases of flood prevention work have been carried out around Earby, and Pendle Council understood more Environment Agency funding was available.
Various future options were being considered, including measures for Wentcliff Brook and Earby Back, upstream of the town.
But this week, Coun Whipp said the Environment Agency’s funding situation has changed.
He said: “This is a bombshell for residents. Earby last suffered devastating flooding on Boxing Day 2015, and the town is struck by flash floods all too often. Being included in the frequently-flooded communities programme meant flood defences would be built to protect people’s homes and businesses.
“But our hopes have been dashed, with our scheme being axed from the Environment Agency’s programme. This is a body-blow to everyone who’s worked so hard to reduce the risk of flooding in Earby. It’s sickening to think this has come out at the beginning of Flood Action Week.”
'reduced to zero'
He said news of the scheme’s apparent cancellation emerged ahead of a meeting of the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee this Thursday, October 16, with a government allocation of aid for Earby ‘reduced to zero’, he understood.
In recent years, some flood prevention work has been done, including improvements to the New Cut waterway through Earby. But there were hopes that a further phase would come, perhaps including natural measures such as wetlands and ponds to slow water running from hills upstream, construction of a new small reservoir, and perhaps property protection work.
Coun Whipp added: “We are two-thirds of the way through a £200,000 feasibility study to produce a full business case for our flood defence scheme. Unless we can get a change of heart on funding, this may never be implemented.”
He added: “Since 2015, £5.5 million has been invested in Earby’s flood barriers through a combination of council cash, government aid, and European funding. But we’re still vulnerable to flooding from Wentcliffe Beck. The cancelled project would have plugged the last gap in our defences.
“The cut is a result of government under-funding, with the Environment Agency having to slash uncommitted schemes because of the cost of projects already under way.
“I’m now calling on the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe to raise this urgently in Parliament, in the hope we can secure these vital resources for flood defence.”
More updates are expected in coming weeks.