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 help reduce the risk of flooding in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) the Fens.

Protecting communities from flooding is a key priority for this Government, and that is why we have launched a Flood Resilience Taskforce. It will provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season. It met for the first time on 12 September to discuss preparation for the winter ahead.

Since 2010, the Environment Agency (EA) has invested over £332 million in flood schemes in Lincolnshire, better protecting over 83,000 properties. The Fens 2100+ is a £9.8 million programme to develop a Fens-wide flood resilience investment strategy that achieves long-term value for money and generates regional and national benefits. This investment strategy will be completed in 2025 and is being developed with Flood Risk Management Authorities to assist them in planning their flood risk management activities for the next 20-25 years and beyond. This includes taking forward a ‘Sustainable Recovery Pilot’ project in the Witham Fens in Lincolnshire, which is looking at managing flooding differently, building on risk management authorities’ day to day activities, to help this area of fenland be more resilient and aid quicker recovery from flooding.

The EA is developing a vision for the future use of Crowland and Cowbit Washes (flood storage reservoir) which will explore options for multi-benefit uses, including flooding, climate change adaptation and environmental benefits. We will work with landowners and Risk Management Authorities to develop this work as the current appetite to adapt our flood risk management approach is high given Storm Henk impacts.