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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant?to the Answer of 6 February 2020 to Question 11503 on Flood Control: North East, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of flood defences in the North East since (a) Storm Ciara and (b) Storm Dennis.

Following any storm or flood event, the Environment Agency (EA) carries out inspections of affected areas to assess flood defence assets. It does this to ensure that defences have operated effectively and will continue to do so. It also does this to assess any damages and defects as a result of the flood event. Any defects are used to inform where future investment is required.

After storms Ciara and Dennis, the EA visited communities and assessed flood defence assets in the North East where official flood warnings were issued or that were close to receiving a warning. These areas were prioritised as they were where water levels rose the furthest. Upon inspection, there were no asset failures during or following the two storm events and assets in these areas continue to operate effectively.

In addition, the EA examines the higher water levels to check flood warnings are being correctly issued and speaks with residents and businesses to ensure they have good awareness of the flood risk.