FLOOD-THREATENED businesses in North Somerset will be encouraged to contribute towards future flood defences under new Government proposals.
Defra and the Environment Agency have launched a joint consultation on plans to increase ‘local involvement’ in managing flood defences.
The Environment Agency says that the new funding criteria would mean more new flood defences would benefit from Government funding.
Businesses and communities benefitting directly from the defences would be given the opportunity to contribute voluntarily.
North Somerset is currently considered as a ‘high risk’ area for flooding in the UK, with the Environment Agency saying 20,415 properties in the area are at risk from flooding. Only Boston, in Yorkshire, has more.
Large parts of North Somerset are vulnerable to flooding, including coastal sites such as Kewstoke, Brean and Burnham, and areas as far inland as Congresbury and Wedmore.
Consultation on the plans will be ongoing until February 16. For more information, go to www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/flood-coastal-erosion/index.htm
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