North Northants flood defence schemes included in national £10bn upgrade
Tens of thousands of homes and businesses across England will be better protected from the devastating impact of flooding with investment to construct new flood schemes and upgrade existing flood defences, the Environment Agency announced today (Tuesday).
More than 600 projects will be funded to help better protect tens of thousands of homes and businesses this year, including one scheme which includes the north of Northamptonshire.
The Environment Agency says it has carried out all the necessary preparation work to make improvements to Braybrooke, Clipston and Little Bowden flood storage reservoirs.
Although the detailed design has yet to be completed, the work will improve the safety and resilience of the reservoirs and reduce flood risk – for example through improvements to the erosion protection of the emergency spillways.
Other projects range from improved flood barriers and embankments to natural flood management schemes that slow the flow of water before it reaches communities and coastal flood defence projects that reduce the risk of flooding
Together they form part of the largest flood defence programme in English history with at least £10.5bn invested between 2024 and 2036 to protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of flooding.
A total of £260m will be also allocated to repairing and maintaining Environment Agency flood defences, including those damaged by Storms Goretti and Chandra, ensuring vital protections remain strong when communities need them most.
The agency says it also marks a decisive break from 14 years of decline in flood asset condition that left too many communities dangerously exposed.
Every £1 spent in flood defences prevents about £8 in economic damage, the Government says.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: “Flooding can turn lives upside down in a matter of hours, destroying homes, shutting down businesses and leaving communities facing months of heartbreak and recovery.
“This £1.4bn investment will help protect tens of thousands of homes and businesses across the country and strengthen the defences families rely on when the worst happens.
“We’ve already stepped in to stabilise our flood assets after years of decline and this funding goes further, creating thousands of jobs, protecting communities from billions of pounds of damage, and unlocking new homes and businesses in places made safer from flooding.”
Caroline Douglass from the Environment Agency said: “This investment allows the Environment Agency and our partners to continue our work needed to protect communities from flooding.
“In partnership with local authorities, homes and businesses will benefit from stronger defences with more than 600 schemes being delivered across England.
“From major flood barriers and strengthened embankments to natural flood management and coastal defence projects, we’re combining engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and build long-term resilience for communities across the country.”