Tag: Environment Agency

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 26 January 2023.

EA Chair Alan Lovell delivers a speech at the annual Coastal Futures Conference.

It’s great to be here in this city made global by the Tidal Thames; braved centuries of seafaring trade. That river and its tide of course bring threats too. The city is visited by the North Sea twice a day and it can be tough. Our now collective job is to ensure that it’s not as destructive as on occasions it could be.

This weekend, we mark 70 years since the horrifying East Coast Surge of 1953. My uncle Charlie was farming on Canvey Island in the Thames Estuary in 1953, and I remember vividly him talking about the desperate measures to bring people and some animals to safety, and subsequently losing all his agricultural equipment.

That disaster of course led to many developments in flood protection, including the construction of the Thames Barrier. I was chief contractor for the Thames Barrier about 10 years after it was built and we were certainly very proud of the work that it was doing. It helps to protect around 125 square kilometres of land and over £320 billion of property and infrastructure.

Opened in 1984, it’s been raised in anger 207 times, so about 5 and a half times a year. It was originally envisaged to be just once a year so that gives some illustration of the change, and not surprisingly it’s been on a rising, although not uniform, trend.

Although the Barrier was built to hold back storm surges, since the 1990s increasingly intense rainfall events have also seen it raised at low tide on several occasions to create space for water that’s arrived from the other direction.

We are constantly surveying the future, but we are reasonably confident that this Barrier will continue to provide protection until at least 2070, but we need to think creatively about how we can transform the estuary edges. We want Londoners to feel secure, to enjoy their river, and without being cut off from the river that makes London what it is.

The Thames Estuary 2100 Plan sets a long-term approach to managing risk in partnership with communities, developers and place-makers.

It’s that sort of collaborative working which is what the Coastal Futures Conference is all about. It’s clear from recent successes that shared ownership of the risks and recognition of the steps to be taken by the public and private sectors, and by non-government, they can bring about the changes that are needed.

I shall be telling you about some of the big projects that we have engaged in, but also some of the smaller and vital collaboration with parties which make a difference.

According to the UN, more than 600 million people – around 10 percent of the world’s population – live in coastal areas that are less than 10 metres above sea level. On this small-island nation at the north-east edge of the Atlantic Ocean, nearly two thirds of people live within 15 kilometres of the sea and over a third live within 5 kilometres. The risk is obvious.

The coastline itself is never static. Throughout our history land has been lost to the sea and created out of it. Like our Dutch neighbours, we have not always taken the sea’s word as final.

The most productive agricultural land in England is often on land historically claimed from coastal wetlands that, due to soil erosion, is close to, or even below, sea level now.

Since 1900 the UK has seen 16 centimetres of sea level rise and scientists believe we could see a further metre of even more in the next 80 years. And as we all know, higher sea levels create waves which carry greater energy to shore, and by the end of the 21st century, sea level events we currently describe as once a century, may occur every year.

Another statistic to alarm is that about 12 percent of England is on the floodplain and 9,000 kilometres of the coast are at risk of sea flooding, erosion and landslips.

Happily, the Government is on the case. You will be aware the flood plan for the 2015 – 2021 period saw us spend £2.6 million and better protect about 320,000 properties. And in this next stage, from 2021-2027, the government is investing £5.2 billion to create new flood protections, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.

Of this big sum, £1.6 billion is directed towards coastal erosion and sea flooding projects. Very importantly, that spend on big projects is supported by a £40 million regional coastal monitoring programme which monitors evidence on beach levels, coastal habitat, tides and waves. We make all this data publicly available.

The data helps us target investment decisions and also Shoreline Management Plans, which offer a framework for adapting to climate change. Local planning authorities are encouraged to embed Shoreline Management Plan policies in their spatial plans.

This includes making provision for any vulnerable properties and infrastructure that may need to be relocated in the future. This could include supporting roll back of the coastline or development facing the threat of coastal erosion. Earlier this week I was in Lincolnshire and I saw some of the caravan cities, sites of constant negotiation with local authorities, which understandably are looking to support the local economy in the area, whilst we are worried about the medium, or not so medium, term impacts.

We need to work together with coastal communities to learn, and put into practice, the best possible ways to keep them safe and prosperous.

The government is also investing £200 million in a Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, which includes eight local authority coastal projects.

The National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy sets out how the Environment Agency will work in partnership with others – including risk management authorities, partners and communities – towards the ambition of climate resilient coastal communities.

Every year people make around 270 million recreational visits to the English coast. Alongside delicious seafood, picturesque towns and recreational activities, people travel to the seaside simply to enjoy the view and to breathe the air.

England’s national story is a story about our relationship with the coast; a century of air travel has not totally eroded our reliance on ports and estuaries to deliver the things we need.

Many who live on the coast were drawn by employment opportunities. Yet, some coastal towns are now among the most deprived in the country. We need a concerted effort to better protect coastal communities and economies while enhancing the marine environment.

So to summarise, long term prosperity on the coast is vital; preserving England’s precious natural resources is also vital.

No one wants to trade these two priorities off against each other; we need look at the evidence and work in partnership to serve both. It’s partly with that in mind that I am launching the Environment Agency’s latest The State of the Environment report.

Scientific research and analysis underpins everything the Environment Agency does. It helps us to understand and manage the environment effectively.

Our own experts work with leading scientific organisations, universities, and other parts of the Defra group to bring the best knowledge to bear on the environmental problems that we face now and in the future. Our scientific work is published as reports, freely available to all.

Today’s report, produced by our Chief Scientist’s Group, looks at the coastal and marine environment in particular.

It covers the degradation of coastal and marine ecosystems, caused by a number of pressures such as climate change, overfishing and chemical pollution. And it tells a clear story of both challenge and opportunity.

We know that a healthy marine environment provides flood and coastal protection, nutrient and carbon absorption; it improves water quality, enhances biodiversity and provides food as well as health and well-being benefits from recreation.

Our report shows evidence that long term, human activities have changed water temperature, acidity, salinity, sea level and degraded coastal and marine ecosystems.

For instance, salt marshes. England’s salt marshes store the carbon equivalent to nearly 40 million people’s annual domestic emissions.

Salt marshes provide flood protection to around 24,000 properties in suburban areas and 17,000 properties in urban areas in the UK. We can’t afford to lose these benefits, but an estimated 85 percent of salt marsh has already been lost since the 1800s.

We are working with many partners – including some of you in this room – to address this through our habitat compensation and restoration programme, but we need to accelerate that work.

So a small step in the right direction has been made. The latest mapped extent of salt marsh in England is just over 35,500 hectares.

This is an overall increase of 7 percent compared with figures from 2006 to 2009. Around 37 percent of the increase is as a result of flood management schemes and habitat creation. All this area is dear to our heart.

The Environment Agency is leading a partnership initiative, Restoring Meadow Marsh and Reef, to restore at least 15 percent of priority estuarine and coastal habitats by 2043.

This will build on the existing investment of £120 million in the next five years to compensate for habitat loss due to coastal squeeze and the development of sea defences.

So we are doing a lot. But nevertheless, our report raises some concerning issues, one of these is about pollution and the impact of storm overflows along the coast. Increased frequency of storms increases the transport of pollutants and untreated waste-water into the sea from storm overflows and diffuse pollution from agricultural land.

An initial assessments of levels of persistent, bio accumulative and toxic chemicals – carried out in 2019 – showed, in blue mussels, harbour porpoise and dab, a sort of flat fish, levels of at least one of the four substances tested exceeded toxic effect thresholds in all three species.

As I’m sure you are all aware, only 14 percent of England’s rivers are of ‘good’ ecological status – as defined in the Water Framework Directive.

Nobody is going to say that is remotely acceptable. And, 0 percent are classed as of good chemical status (though I might say in that context this is down from 97 percent, and this change is not due to degradation but due to severe tightening of classifications which is designed to shine light on a very important area which we need to do something about).

The Environment Agency’s updated River Basin Management and Flood Risk Management Plans, launched in 2022, include the local actions that government, regulators, the water sector, and other partners, and we ourselves need to deliver to protect the water environment from catchment to coast over the next five years.

It also says that more than £5 billion of investment over the next five years will enhance and limit further deterioration of England’s waters, giving us increased resilience to the impacts of climate change.

One other small but important project that we are working on too help us with estuarine and coastal recovery, the Environment Agency is investing £1.8 million over the next 3 years in Championing Coastal Coordination – 20 projects will receive funding this year.

These are innovative projects mixing citizen science, local on-the-ground restoration and large-scale work to bring a more coordinated approach to coastal management.

At one level, this is a drop in the ocean, but we hope what we learn from this innovation will enable us to join with others in scaling up projects and programmes that champion coastal resilience.

Please come and talk to our team at our stall here at the conference about the work we’re doing in this field and whether you’d like to be involved in it.

Happily, bathing water quality at beaches and resorts has shown enormous improvements in recent decades. The latest bathing water results for England show 97.1 percent of bathing waters were in decent standards following testing at over 400 designated sites.

But, even with these excellent results, we still need the public to be aware of the risks and to make informed choices. We do encourage people to check bathing water quality on the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website before going swimming.

Before I go, I would like to say something about winter flooding as it is so topical at the moment.

In the last month, we have been dealing with the real impacts of more extreme weather. I recently visited the Somerset Levels where I saw the Environment Agency’s great work – temporary barriers and pumps operating there and along the River Severn.

This is my first winter in the EA and I must say I am extremely impressed by the fantastic work both of our staff and of partners. We estimate that 138 properties are were flooded in the serious flooding 10 days ago which is too many. But set that against the fact that our estimate is that well over 5,000 properties have been protected in the West Midlands, in the Southwest and along the Thames, by the work that has been done over the last 10 years.

We hesitate to give that relatively good statistic of the work done with still a month of winter left to go. And we need to keep reminding people that flood defences can’t provide 100 percent protection, so it’s vital that we all sign up for free flood warnings and take it seriously.

I began this speech talking about the Thames Barrier – one of several protecting the people from the North Sea. I’ve also been to the Ipswich Barrier and on Monday, I visited the Boston Barrier, which protects over 14,000 homes and businesses. It was built after 800 properties were flooded in the 2013 tidal surge – a fantastic example of how engineering can increase the security and prosperity of those living on the coast.

As I have mentioned today, the benefits of working with nature not only include flood and coastal protection, but also nutrient and carbon absorption; improved water quality, enhanced nature, and food as well as health and well-being benefits from recreation.

If coastal communities are to thrive, we need to collect and share evidence of what is happening on the coast and work together to enhance both resilience and the marine environment.

The Environment Agency is proud to sponsor of the Coastal Futures Conference 2023.

We are delighted to be involved with it and with you all, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in the challenging, and rewarding, years to come.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 19 January 2023.

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive at the Environment Agency spoke of climate optimism and the value of research at a visit to the University of East Anglia.

One of the most senior voices on the environment in England, Sir James Bevan, has given a speech to University of East Anglia students. Sir James praised the institution’s ‘outstanding’ work on climate research.

Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, made the remarks in his speech at the UEA on 16 January. He highlighted the need to focus on tackling climate change, rather than letting fear and doom deter action.

University of East Anglia was 1 of the early pioneers of climate research and has been producing world class analysis for nearly 50 years now. Both its Climatic Research Unit and the Tyndall Centre have both broken new ground in understanding our changing climate and how best to address those consequences. Sir James also referenced the scale of work yet to do within the research space and building international consensus on action.

Sir James Bevan, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said:

In my view this climate doomism is almost as dangerous as climate denial. Indeed doomism might even be the new denial. And it’s equally misplaced. It’s not justified by the facts. And it risks leading to the wrong outcome: inaction.

He explained:

We know what we have to do to solve the problem. The solutions are technically quite simple.

First, we need to reduce and as far as possible stop entirely the emissions of carbon dioxide and the other greenhouse gases: what the experts call mitigation.

And second, we need to adapt our infrastructure, our economies and our lifestyles so we can live safely, sustainably and well in a climate-changed world.

He later added:

If we tackle the climate emergency right, and treat it not just as an existential risk but as a massive opportunity, we can actually build a better world.

One in which we make cities which don’t just generate less carbon or which are just more resilient but are also better places to live. In which we invent new technologies that don’t just mitigate and adapt but also help nature recover from the battering we’ve given it and thrive.

In which we find new ways to run successful economies so there is sustainable, inclusive growth for everyone.

By ending the impacts of climate change on the weakest and helping them recover from things they did not cause, we help deliver justice for all.

UEA has worked with councils and partners to develop a 25-year environmental plan to mitigate the impact of climate change on water security and sea-level rise in region. The Climate Research Unit on UEA campus plays a leading role in producing global temperature figures. The University’s Leverhulme PhD programme is training a new generation of 21st Century climate thought leaders.

Prof Konstantinos Chalvatzis, Professor of Sustainable Energy Business and ClimateUEA Academic Director, said:

I’m thrilled that ClimateUEA has hosted Sir James Bevan on our campus.

His talk engaged on a range of topics and I am looking forward to exploring where UEA’s and the Environment Agency’s expertise can jointly address environmental challenges.

During his speech Sir James referred to how the Environment Agency is playing a central part in tackling the climate emergency. He highlighted the 3 goals of the EA2025 strategy: a nation resilient to climate change; healthy air, land and water; and green growth and a sustainable future.

Sir James concluded by saying the Environment Agency is always looking for talented people who are committed to creating a better planet. He invited attendees to consider joining the agency to help tackle the climate emergency.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 18 January 2023.

The Environment Agency in partnership with local authorities has taken a decision to declare a major incident on the Somerset Levels to ensure local partners can take a coordinated response to flooding.

This is a precautionary move and imminent flooding to properties is not expected, however the risk of flooding will remain live for the coming week.

A pumping operation started last week and additional pumps were deployed on Tuesday evening (17 January) at Northmoor to reduce the amount of water being stored at Currymoor, which remains full, until river levels allow pumping to resume.

We expect water levels to reduce in Northmoor, Saltmoor and Currymoor now that river levels have dropped to allow pumping. But declaring a major incident is a sensible step so partners can stay coordinated and ready to respond should the situation worsen.

The agency is currently responding to flooding incidents in Somerset, flood risk in the Bristol Avon area and monitoring rising groundwater levels in Dorset.

Ian Withers of the Environment Agency said:

The sight of water on the Somerset Levels and Moors is obviously a concern to those who have suffered from flooding before. Our staff continue to work to the best of their abilities to protect people and properties, install pumps and engage with communities.

The situation is expected to improve when enhanced pumping begins and we continue to run the Sowy flood relief channel, it is prudent to plan for the worst and going into major incident mode is appropriate, so we coordinate with partners and everyone is ready to respond if needed.

Cllr Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset County Council, said:

The decision to declare a major incident at this stage means we are well placed to respond. We will be supporting Environment Agency colleagues on the ground and taking every step to ensure our communities receive the help they need.

Additional pumps are pumping at Saltmoor and Northmoor, to help reduce levels as much as possible when the River Parrett has capacity. Extra pumps are also ready to use at Currymoor once conditions allow Once the water level at Currymoor has reduced, Athelney spillway will stop flowing into Northmoor as well as the A361 between East Lyng and Burrowbridge. A flood warning for that area remains in place and the road is closed.

A flood warning has been issued for Saltmoor and Northmoor and agency officers were in the village of Moorland yesterday to meet with residents and offer advice and support.

To allow pumping to continue more frequently and for longer at impacted pump stations, water is being diverted to the Sowy flood relief channel and King’s Sedgemoor Drain to Dunball, where pumps are being installed to allow pumping to continue in the event of high tide.

The Environment Agency urges residents to check their flood risk by signing up for flood warnings and create a flood plan so they know what action to take and are prepared to act. You can find links at https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk.

The recent wet weather has caused flooding and travel disruption in parts of the country. While this has sadly led to the flooding of around 130 properties, over 5,000 properties have been protected across the West Midlands, Yorkshire, in the South West and along the Thames.

Our flood defences have helped to protect over 200,000 properties in England during flooding incidents since 2019. We have 250 high volume pumps available and 5,000 trained staff across the country.

We are delivering on the government’s record £5.2bn investment in new flood and coastal defences by 2027. This builds on our successful delivery of the previous six year programme, better protecting more than 314,000 homes since 2015.

Do not drive through floodwater. It is the number one cause of death during flooding and puts yourself and rescue agencies in jeopardy. Floodwater can contain hidden dangers such as uncovered manholes, obstacles or sewage – so never enter floodwater and be careful around riverbanks and spillways. During this cold snap there is also the risk that floodwater could freeze, so we also remind people to never walk or play on or near ice.

We know that the declaration of a major incident may trigger feelings of anxiety, fear or worry, particularly for those who have been previously affected by flooding. Talk to somebody about how you are feeling, if you don’t feel able to talk to friends or family you can call Mindline – Somerset’s emotional support and mental health helpline which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 01823 276 892 (local) 0800 138 1692 (freephone).

There is further information to help you on what to do during a flood on the Somerset Prepared website.  The key point is to always stay safe, in an immediate flood emergency or where there is a risk to life, follow the advice of the emergency services.

Issued jointly by the Environment Agency, Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council, Mendip District Council and South Somerset District Council.

Background

The Somerset Levels & Moors are designed to store flood water when the rivers flowing through them over top. The recent heavy rain has caused spillways (specifically designed low points in the riverbanks) on the Rivers Tone and Parrett to flow and water is stored on the moors.

Northmoor Pumping Station

Three additional pumps become operational yesterday, and the remaining seven pumps operational over the next 24-48hrs. At Park Brook, Elson’s Clyce we installed two pumps yesterday evening. This will further help remove water from Northmoor.

Saltmoor Pumping Station

Five temporary pumps have been operational at Saltmoor since Sunday. After an emergency road closure, facilitated by Somerset County Council we are adding a further five temporary pumps today.

Dunball

The installation of pumps at Dunball continues. These will be switched on as soon as each one comes online. This will allow us to direct even more water down the River Sowy and into King’s Sedgemoor Drain. This will help to reduce levels in the River Parrett and Tone.  Minimising levels in the Tone is important because it reduces the amount of floodwater that enters Currymoor, Saltmoor and Northmoor.

Currymoor Pumping Station

Additional pumps were installed at Currymoor last weekend. We are ready to run these pumps as soon as levels in the Tone recede. Currymoor remains full.

Langport Upstream of Langport, there is water stored on the moors and storage volumes remain high. All pumping stations are off. When river levels reduce enough, we will balance which pumping stations we operate to minimise risk to people or property.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 6 January 2023.

• The Environment Agency previously prosecuted John Leslie Allison, 75, of Southfield Lane, Colne, Burnley for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in Lancashire without a permit.
• On 23rd July 2021 Allison was sentenced to three years immediate imprisonment.
• Environment Agency has pursued confiscation proceedings to seek an order to remove Mr Allison’s ill-gotten gains – and he has been ordered to pay £368,682.50 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Prolific waste crime offender, John Leslie Allison, has been ordered to pay £368,682.50 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.  Allison appeared at Preston Crown Court today, Friday, 6 January 2022, before His Honour Judge Parry, after the Environment Agency pursued confiscation proceedings.

Allison was jailed for 3 years in 2021 for undertaking illegal waste activities at two sites in Colne without a permit. He allowed hazardous, large scale, mixed household and commercial waste materials to be deposited at the sites without a permit, causing unacceptable risks to the environment, highlighted by a number of significant fires at the site and numerous complaints from the public.

The Crown Court at Preston Court today found that Mr Allison benefitted to the tune of £840,814 from his illegal waste activities. He was ordered to pay £368,682.50, fixed by the total value of assets available to Mr Allison.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said:

“We welcome the result of this proceeds of crime following the offences committed by prolific offender Mr Allison.  This sends out a strong signal to others that we will continue to fight tirelessly to combat illegal waste crime and bring those responsible to justice.

“The Environment Agency will continue to work tirelessly to tackle environmental crime which can have a devastating impact on the environment and local community.

“I would urge everyone to check that a waste carrier, broker or dealer is registered before using them by checking the waste carriers register online at Gov.UK.”

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 22 December 2022.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 December 2022.

The Environment Agency is set to begin a £75 million project to keep homes and businesses in Canvey Island protected from flooding.

Much of Canvey Island lies below the daily high-water level in the Thames Estuary. The tidal defences play a critical role in reducing the risk of flooding to people, property and infrastructure on the island.

A 3 kilometre stretch of the island’s existing tidal flood defence revetment will be renewed on its southern shoreline between Thorney Bay and the Island Yacht Club. Sections of the current revetment over the project area date back to the 1930s and need replacing.

Once completed the island’s tidal defences will continue to provide protection for 6,097 properties on the island for another 50 years. The works will also take into account the effects of rising sea levels due to climate change.

As well as refurbishing the existing tidal defences, additional enhancements will be made to the Canvey Island shoreline. These will include improved public access along the seaward walkway.

New steps to the beach and foreshore as well as project information boards will be installed. The surface of the pathway along the landward side of the seawall between Thorney Bay and Chapman Sands will also be improved.

Flowering grass seed mixes will be planted. This is to improve biodiversity on the defence and rock pools will be created to boost habitat in select locations along the foreshore.

The works are part of the Thames Estuary Asset Management (TEAM) 2100 Programme. This is a 10 year capital investment programme to refurbish and improve existing tidal flood defences. As the single largest flood risk management programme in the UK, the TEAM 2100 Programme is refurbishing, repairing and replacing defences in the Thames Estuary where required.

James Mason, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

This project is essential to managing the risk of flooding for thousands of people, homes and businesses on Canvey Island.

The existing revetment along the southern shoreline is starting to reach the end of its useful life. This investment in Canvey Island’s tidal defences will ensure they continue to benefit the community on Canvey Island to 2070.

We are already seeing the impacts of climate change in the UK. Which is why schemes such as this are needed.

Everyone should know their flood risk and sign up for free flood warnings by going to https://www.gov.uk/check-flood-risk or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188. You can also follow @EnvAgency on Twitter for the latest flood updates.

Contractors working on behalf of the Environment Agency will begin setting up site from January with work beginning on the tidal defences from late March. The project is expected to take until summer 2025 to complete.

Ahead of the works starting in the new year, a public drop-in session will be held on 14 December 2022 at Jimmy Mac’s restaurant from 11am until 2pm. This session will provide an opportunity for the public and business owners to meet and talk with the project team.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 December 2022.

• An event on the 9th of December saw MP Trudy Harrison officially open the scheme
• The scheme reduces the flood risk to 220 properties

The Skirting Beck and Whangs Beck Flood Risk Management Scheme in Egremont is now complete.

The scheme was formally opened on the 9th of December by MP for Copeland, Trudy Harrison, in an official ribbon cutting event, attended by the key members of the community, councillors, schools and partners who helped to bring the scheme to completion. The Environment Agency’s new chair, Alan Lovell was also present.

The new scheme has involved constructing flood storage areas, with flood walls and flood embankments, at West Lakes Academy, the Falcon Club, How Bank Farm and at Whangs Beck. Culvert, which are underground watercourses improvements also happened at Croadalla Avenue on Skirting Beck. Property resistance measures having also been delivered to 36 properties across the town. Property resistance measures are undertaken inside a property to reduce damage caused by floodwaters.

As well as reducing flood risk, at least 600 trees have been planted as part of this scheme and 16.5 acres of habitat improvement works have been created in the area of Black Beck. This brings benefits to the local environment and the local community through improvements such as educational ponds for use by local school children.

Sustainable Drainage Systems will also be delivered at various locations across Egremont by Cumbria County Council with Environment Agency funding. Sustainable Drainage Systems are a natural approach to managing drainage in and around properties

Paul Robertshaw, Project Executive at the Environment Agency said:

“We are delighted that the £18.5 million flood scheme is now complete, reducing the flood risk to 220 properties, ahead of winter this year.

“The scheme not only better protects people and properties in the area from flooding but has created a better place for the community by providing, improved community amenities and an enhanced environment for wildlife to thrive.

“The help and cooperation of local residents, West Lakes Academy, the Falcon Club, schools and nurseries has helped this scheme and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support over the years.”

MP Trudy Harrison said:

“This is a milestone day for the Egremont community. This area has suffered the devastating impact of repeated flooding for many years, and this significant investment will now make a real difference to families and businesses locally.

“I’d like to thank the Environment Agency and all the partners for working together for the benefit of the community.”

Mark Cronshaw, Framework Director for VolkerStevin, contractors for the scheme said:

“It’s been a fantastic project to be involved with and we are delighted to have helped create a much-improved level of flood protection for the Egremont area and its residents.”

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 9 December 2022.

Sir James Bevan outlined his vision for natural flood management as the Environment Agency published a new report on the £15 million NFM programme.

Following a report published by the Environment Agency, he outlined his vision for natural flood management to be seen shoulder to shoulder with its programme of crucial bricks and mortar hard defences.

The report evaluates the impact of the national Natural Flood Management Programme which received £15 million of government funding, including benefits to communities and to biodiversity alongside protecting homes and businesses from floods.

Across 60 pilot projects the programme created an equivalent of 1.6 million cubic metres of water storage and increased flood resilience to 15,000 homes. In addition, the programme contributed to nature recovery: improving 4,000 hectares of habitat, improving 610 kilometres of river and planting 100 hectares of woodland.

Sir James Bevan said:

The warning signs of the climate crisis are stark – and sadly devastating flooding is likely to become a more familiar sight over the next century.

As we prepare for more extreme weather events, we must use every weapon in our armoury and Natural Flood Management will play an essential role in this.

By harnessing the power of nature alongside our traditional flood defences, we can not only help keep communities safer, but also create wildlife havens and tackle the climate emergency.

This week, governments from around the world are coming together for COP 15 to agree on how to halt and reverse nature loss.

We are facing a biodiversity crisis and a climate crisis that places considerable stress on nature and wildlife. Natural flood management is a key way to address these challenges, by improving resilience to flooding, enhancing biodiversity, storing carbon and helping regulate the local climate.

Natural flood management helps to slow the flow of water across the landscape – including the re-meandering of rivers, the restoration of wetlands and targeted woodland planting.

NFM measures include planting trees and hedges to absorb more water, creating leaky barriers to slow water flow in streams and ditches and restoring salt marshes, mudflats, and peat bogs.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:

We know that flooding can have a devastating impact on people’s lives, homes and livelihoods. That is why we are investing a record £5.2 billion in flood and coastal defences to ensure more communities are better prepared – and nature-based solutions are a key component of this.

The additional benefits of Natural Flood Management for people and wildlife are vast – helping us reach our ambitious Net Zero targets, providing vital new habitats and creating areas of natural beauty for people to enjoy for generations to come.

The £15 million NFM programme involved 85 partners – including Rivers Trusts, Wildlife Trusts, local authorities, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, landowners, universities and local businesses. It was completed this year and has achieved some great successes.

In Cumbria, an NFM project trailed a variety of measures across different landscapes aiming to slow or store 10,000 cubic metres of water per square kilometre. The team worked with a range of landowners and the Forestry Commission to change overland flow routes, build earth dams and leaky barriers, plant 8,000 trees and create offline flood storage ponds.

Meanwhile, the community-led Shipston Area Flood Action Group (SAFAG) used NFM measures across the River Stour in Warwickshire to create 700 leaky barriers and ponds to slow the flow of water during heavy rainfall, reducing the flood risk to people and businesses in 17 villages and towns.

In London a partnership between South East Rivers Trust (SERT) and the London Borough of Sutton is working to install Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) in six Sutton schools. The project will disconnect nearly 4.3 hectares of hard surfaces (such as roads, paths, roofs) from the drainage network flowing into the River Wandle which is helping to reduce surface water flooding and reduce pollution.

Thanks to £50,000 funding through the NFM programme, the project will provide biodiversity benefits as well as opportunities for outdoor education. It has also helped to unlock a further £40,000 of partnership funding.

Mark Lloyd, CEO of Rivers Trusts, said:

Rivers Trusts were delighted to work in partnership with others to deliver many of the pilot projects referred to in this excellent report, which we welcome.  It is clear that natural flood management has a really important role to play in protecting communities from the misery of flooding, while at the same time making a contribution to nature recovery, pollution prevention, soil protection, drought resilience, amenity value and carbon sequestration.

Our country faces several major environmental threats and we cannot solve them one at a time.  Managing landscapes to store more water provides multiple benefits to society, and can therefore attract multiple sources of funding.  This pilot programme needs to become business as usual urgently and we need to break down the barriers to delivery at scale.

Sarah Fowler, Chief Executive of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, said:

Wetlands help us mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change, which is why WWT is calling for the restoration and creation of 100,00ha of wetlands in the UK. WWT is delighted to have played a part in the government’s £15 million investment to pilot natural flood risk management.

This report demonstrates the power of nature, and wetlands in particular, to tackle flooding.  I look forward to WWT working with the Environment Agency, using our expertise in wetland science and wetland delivery, to build natural flood management solutions at scale to manage current and future flood risk. But we need to see a significant increase investment in NFM to meet the scale of the opportunity.

Through the natural flood management programme, we have learnt about how to deliver natural flood management projects with communities, landowners and environmental charities.

The report also recognised the importance of long-term monitoring and evaluation of natural flood management, and the need to sustain it long-term, through plans for local nature recovery and new approaches to environmental land management.

We are using this learning to help us to do more and better natural flood management projects in the future as part of our commitment to deliver the ambitions of the national Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. The Government has a target of doubling the number of natural flood management projects over the next five years.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 7 November 2022.

Communities are being urged to prepare for flooding this winter with the Environment Agency warning of “ignoring the danger at your own peril”.

Amid increased extreme weather events brought on by the climate emergency, the Environment Agency is launching an awareness campaign – Flood Action Week – to encourage those who live in areas at risk of flooding to act now to protect their home, possessions and family.

This year alone, the UK experienced its highest ever recorded temperatures, as the Met Office confirmed that England had its joint hottest summer on record with much of the country still struggling with drought.

Looking ahead to this winter, although the Met Office says the chance of wet and windy weather increases as we go through the season, unexpected flooding could occur at any time and communities are being warned not to be complacent following this summer’s dry weather.

Since 1998 we have seen six of the ten wettest years on record and this year for the first time ever saw three named storms in one week.

One of the key messages coming from COP27, which gets underway in Egypt this week, is that we must plan and prepare for increasingly extreme events.

As we have seen across the globe, the effects of climate change are becoming clearer, with wildfires raging across Europe; China experiencing its worst heatwave in decades; and devastating floods in Pakistan ripping through communities killing more than 1500 people and displacing millions.

This Flood Action Week (7 November – 13 November) the Environment Agency is urging people to take three simple steps:

• check your flood risk online
• sign up for flood warnings
• know what to do if flooding hits

Caroline Douglass, Executive Director of Flooding at the Environment Agency, said:

Climate change is happening now. We’re seeing more extreme weather – in this year alone with three named storms in a week, record-breaking temperatures and drought declared across large parts of the country.

“That is why it is vital that people take the necessary preparations as early as possible to prepare for the worst. Our recent investment programme has better protected 314,000 homes from flooding and we’re investing millions into keeping communities safe, but we can’t stop all flooding.

The message is clear – households risk ignoring the danger of flooding at their own peril. Anyone can go online to check if they are at risk, sign up for Environment Agency warnings, and, most importantly, know what you need to do if flooding hits.

Floods Minister Rebecca Pow said:

I know how devastating flooding can be – the loss of your home, the financial stress, and the destruction of irreplaceable, sentimental belongings all place unbelievable strain on those affected.

Simple steps such as checking your flood risk online and signing up for flood warnings can make all the difference in terms of preparing yourself for what may come.

We are committed to pressing ahead with our record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences between 2021 and 2027 to ensure more communities are even better prepared for future flooding events.

This year’s Flood Action Week comes as the Environment Agency has now expanded its flood warning service to reach almost 50,000 new properties at risk of flooding and hopes to exceed its target to provide new warning capability for 62,000 properties at risk of flooding by this winter. It brings the number of properties registered with the service to 1.6 million.

With over 250 mobile pumps and 5,000 trained staff across the country, the Environment Agency is ready to take action wherever it is needed this winter. The construction and repair of flood defences has also continued throughout the year as part of the record £5.2 billion government investment in flood and coastal defences.

These preparations have already helped to protect communities from flooding. During the storms earlier this year, despite some 400 properties sadly flooding, around 35,000 were protected by Environment Agency schemes.

Will Lang from the Met Office said:

Winters in the UK usually include a wide variety of weather, and this winter looks to be no exception.

Although we expect to see high pressure dominating our weather through much of the early winter, which increases the potential for cold spells, we could still see wet and windy weather at times.

The risk of unsettled weather increases as we head into 2023 with wet, windy, and mild spells a real possibility.

At least one in six people in England are at risk from flooding from rivers and the sea, with many more at risk from surface water flooding.

However nearly two in three households at risk of flooding don’t believe it will happen to them, according to analysis produced by the Environment Agency earlier this year.

And despite the research showing that almost two thirds of people (60%) have taken at least one action to prepare for flooding, as many as 1.5 million households, who are at risk, are yet to prepare.

Those at risk are encouraged to follow the advice to ‘Prepare. Act. Survive’, specifically:

• If there is an initial flood alert – prepare by packing medicines and insurance and other important documents and visit the flood warning information service
• If there is a subsequent confirmed flood warning – act by moving family, pets and belongings to safety. Turn off gas, water and electricity
• If there is a severe flood warning – survive immediate danger by following the advice of emergency services or calling 999 if needed

With just 30cm of flowing water being enough to float a car, drivers are also being warned not to attempt to drive through flood water and take extra precautions in wet weather.

Tony Rich, from The AA said:

It’s vital for drivers to be aware of the risks of driving in floodwater and during heavy rain. Roads can quickly become flooded, making your intended route impassable, so allow plenty of time for journeys. It’s also important to leave more space than normal between you and the car in front to allow for greater stopping distances.

Drivers should take extra care where roads dip, especially under bridges as these are most likely to flood first. Flood water can be deceptively deep and can easily cause damage to your vehicle’s bodywork or worse – the engine, often resulting in hefty repair bills.

Flood water can also mask other hazards in the road, such as displaced drain covers and potholes, so if in doubt turn around and find another route. Doing this may add time to your journey, but as it only takes 30cm of flowing water to float a car – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

The press release issued by the Environment Agency on 1 November 2022.

Environmental regulation is helping businesses to protect the environment and tackle the climate crisis, a new report reveals today (1 November), with more work needed to reduce serious water pollution incidents.

Some 97% of industrial sites overseen by the Environment Agency are in the top compliance bands when it comes to protecting the environment, based on a five-year moving average, helping to ensure our air, land, and water is protected from harm.

The data is revealed in the EA’s Regulating for People, Environment and Growth report (RPEG) 2021, which shows improving trends in environmental compliance.

Since 2010, there has been a 72% decrease in NOx emissions, and a 90% decrease in SOx emissions, from sites the EA regulates. There has also been a 50% decrease in emissions of greenhouse gases from sites the EA regulates during the same period.

And last year, the Environment Agency’s regulation led to the closure of 561 illegal waste sites and uncovered 445 new sites. It also ensured a nine million tonne reduction of CO2 compared to 2020 through the climate change emissions trading and energy efficiency schemes it manages.

This is alongside a record 99% of bathing waters in England meeting or exceeding the minimum quality standard last year.

The report comes as Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, delivered a speech on the future of regulation to the Whitehall and Industry Group today.

Sir James said:

Do we want clean water, air that’s safe to breathe, a green country, jobs and growth? Yes – and those are some of the things you get from regulation when it’s done right.

Good regulation is essential for most of the things we all want. The report we are launching today, Regulating for People, the Environment and Growth sets out what the EA does to support those things.

But no regulatory system is perfect, including ours. Brexit is a massive opportunity to rethink how we do regulation in this country. The government has embarked on that process, and we welcome the debate.

As an example of improving the regulatory system in a post-Brexit UK, he said opportunities lie in repealing the Floods Directive and reforming Water Framework Directive.

He said:

There will be examples of laws we find we don’t really need. There will be examples where changing the law will allow us to achieve better outcomes for the environment and nature and support economic growth. And there will be some laws that it will make eminent sense to keep.

The RPEG report, comprising data from regulatory activities in 2021, also reveals:

• Fines totalling £105 million were issued by the courts as a result of over 100 environmental prosecution cases brought by the EA in 2021
• Environmental groups have received £15 million over the past five years as a result of enforcement undertakings accepted by the EA
• Last year, we saw a reduction in CO2 of 9 million tonnes compared to 2020
• Since 2010, emissions of greenhouse gases from the sites we regulate under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) have decreased by 50%. Methane emissions from these sites have decreased by 51%
• Since 2017, through reviewing, changing and revoking abstraction licences, we have removed the risk of the potential abstraction of 1.7 trillion litres of water from the environment

However, the report also showed that in 2021, the environmental performance of England’s water and sewerage companies was the worst seen for years. Serious pollution incidents increased to their highest total since 2013, while monitors on storm overflows – installed at Environment Agency insistence – are highlighting that untreated sewage flows into our rivers too frequently.

Sir James has also welcomed the record £90 million fine imposed on Southern Water for widespread pollution last July; a clear signal that this is not what the EA or the public expect from companies whose job it is to treat sewage and protect the environment.

Sir James added:

Strong regulation needs strong regulators. If regulators are going to do their jobs they need the right powers, the right resources, the right laws and the right support.

Regulation doesn’t exist to protect us from ourselves. It exists to protect things we value – people, nature, our economy – that would not otherwise be protected. Let’s have no more regulation than we need, and let’s have the right kind. But when we need it, let’s make sure we have it.

The Environment Agency’s vision of promoting green growth and a sustainable future is a key strand of the EA’s five-year action plan, entitled ‘EA2025’.