Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers announced Tuesday, 10 September, a new round of flood defense investment for communities across Yorkshire, Cumbria, the North East and the South East of England.
Thirteen projects across England will benefit from a share of over £62 million, which as well as helping develop existing flood defenses, reported the Environment Agency.
The extra funding is in addition the government’s commitment to invest a record £2.6 billion over six years up to 2021 to better protect 300,000 homes across the country.
Funding will support the development of 11 projects in the Northern Powerhouse, including seven in Yorkshire, four in Cumbria and Lancashire and two in the North East.
£19m is set to go to Calder Valley, where the Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge and Brighouse schemes will be developed. Communities in Yorkshire will also receive additional funding with more money for the Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme and additional funding for defenses at Sowerby Bridge.
Cumbria and Lancashire are due to receive the second largest amount of funding, with £22.8m now available to support four flood projects in Kendal, Egremont, Flimby and Preston and South Ribble.
This round of funding will also allocate £6.3m to projects outside of the Northern Powerhouse, in Essex and Lincolnshire.
The Environment Agency has completed construction of more than 500 new flood and coastal erosion schemes since April 2015, better protecting over 195,000 and thousands of businesses.