Flood defence work for Hayling Island
The focus is on protecting the north of the Island
The government has announced the first round of funding for flood defence work and Hayling Island's included.
£80,000 will go towards protecting the main road on and off the Island and nearby homes.
Led by Havant Borough Council, the Langstone Flood Coast and Erosion Management Scheme involves the protection of properties at high flood risk and the A3023 road. As the only road into to Hayling Island it affects 17,500 residents and 1000 businesses and is vital for general access, and for emergency services.
The area is frequently flooded. The 1km of current defences are in poor condition and reaching the end of their life. They need to be replaced to reduce flood risk, while preserving the local landscape and heritage which includes eight listed buildings and four conservation areas.
The allowance targets communities where 10 or more properties have flooded twice or more in the last 10 years. These communities are often smaller and can face barriers to access funding due to the relative complexity and cost of building flood defences compared to the size of the community.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:
“We know only too well the devastating impact that flooding can have on communities and businesses, as we face more extreme weather brought about by climate change.
“I am determined that we do whatever we can to prevent flooding that affects so many towns and villages across the country.
“This much-needed funding will go a long way to support those whose homes and livelihoods are repeatedly threatened by flooding and forms a key part of our record £5.2 billion investment by 2027 to protect communities in England better.”
Caroline Douglass, Executive Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency, said:
“Increased flooding is just one of the impacts of climate change we are seeing in the UK and around the world. Protecting people and communities is our top priority as we look to tackle this challenge.
“The funding announced today will help better protect homes and businesses at risk from repeated flood incidents across the country.
“The Environment Agency’s strong track record in delivering flood defence schemes means we have better protected 374,000 homes since 2015.”