Published Wednesday 9 March 2022 at 14:24
Blackburn with Darwen Council has secured £397,500 in a Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (FCERM) Investment Programme from Defra to better protect homes and non-residential properties from flood risk and coastal erosion.
All schemes will address and seek to mitigate flood risk where there have been occasions of flooding in the past.
The conditions of the Investment Programme are that overall, schemes must attract at least 15% of partnership funding and deliver 10% efficiency saving on projects.
The funding from Defra for managing flood risk in England is known as ‘Flood Defence Grant in Aid’ (FDGiA). This funding from Defra is administered by the Environment Agency (EA).
Blackburn with Darwen’s Councillor Jim Shorrock, part of the local flood risk management team, said:
It’s fantastic that we’ve been successful in securing so much funding from Defra.
“It will allow us to be proactive in safeguarding homes in our borough from flooding.
“With the effects we are seeing as a consequence of climate change, it’s more important than ever that we take action.
It’s devastating when resident’s homes are flooded – there of course is a financial impact, but also an emotional one too with a loss of keepsakes and memories.
“It has a huge impact on their lives and so I know this funding will be incredibly welcome for the important projects.”
The amount of FDGiA available for a particular scheme is based on a set formula that takes into account the number of households protected against flood risk; the estimated value of damages being prevented; and the other benefits a particular project would deliver, such as environmental improvements.
The projects included will mitigate flood risk and better protect our residents from flooding.
Further underspend funding has been allocated to the projects detailed in the table below:
The projects identified accord with the Lancashire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2021 – 2027 Strategy.
The council’s primary purpose for this strategy is to ensure that, as far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of flooding to human health and life, the environment, economic activity, infrastructure and cultural heritage arising from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses is minimised.
All schemes will be the subject of detailed individual consultations with the emergency services, stakeholders and the wider community.
Residents and stakeholders will be informed prior to the start of the proposed works in respect to the nature of the scheme and their anticipated duration. Customer feedback will be actively sought on completion of each scheme, with feedback analysed and used to improve the service in the future.
Read the full report: (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Executive Board, 10/03/2022 18:00 (blackburn.gov.uk)