Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote public engagement when implementing flood defences along the River Severn.

The Environment Agency (EA) has published information on schemes along the River Severn via the following links:

• Tenbury Flood Risk Management Scheme: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/west-midlands/tenbury-wells-flood-risk-management-scheme/
• Severn Valley Water Management Scheme https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/west-midlands/svwms/

The EA is having early discussions with community representatives. It is also working with partners to develop plans for engaging communities, businesses, landowners and members of the public for each of the potential schemes along the River Severn. The EA plans to engage with businesses, landowners and members of the public and will use a variety of methods in line with Government’s Covid-19 guidelines. Details will be publicised at the appropriate time and will include information on how members of the public can inform decisions on the potential schemes.

Information about each of the projects, which are part of the River Severn Partnership will also be shared on their website here: http://www.riversevernpartnership.org.uk