In recent news The Environment Agency announced the businesses, landowners and communities will have to take onus and contribute to flood defences in their area.

The EA has responsibility for river and coastal flooding, has been spending record levels on flood management.  Despite government funding of £629 million this financial year The EA had said other streams of cash would be needed to protect communities from the increasing risk of flooding brought on by climate change.

At a recent flood and coastal risk management conference in Telford, The Environment Agency’s chief executive Dr Paul Leinster gave examples of communities which have already adopted an approach in which they contributed to flood defences.

In Hereford, Asda contributed £2 million under planning conditions for a supermarket in the town.  They constructed 440 metre long flood barrier.  This flood prevention barrier was part of a £7.5 million scheme, protecting 196 properties including 25 listed buildings.

Also in Bawdsey, Suffolk, landowners and residents formed a trust to raise £2.2 million allowing them to implement a coastal protection and flood defence scheme for approximately a 250 metre stretch of coast.  The money was raised by selling plots of land in nearby villages.

Dr Leinster said: “Whilst continued government investment in managing the risk of flooding is important, we must now also look at alternative funding streams, including increased contributions from those who will benefit from flood defences schemes.”

Simon Phelps of Fluvial Innovations, manufacturer of the Floodstop flood prevention barriers, commented:

“Unfortunately individuals and businesses at risk can’t expect to be protected by local authorities and The Environment Agency, it looks like they must take onus in protecting their own properties. The award-winning Floodstop barrier - a rapid response flood protection tool – was specifically developed to allow householders and business owners to protect their properties from the misery of flooding as low cost”.