Thames flood defences among schemes hit by coalition funding cuts
Avoidable damage estimated to cost £3bn as projects at Heathrow, Dawlish and Somerset Levels delayed or downsized
Planned defences along the length of the flood-hit Thames Valley were delayed and downsized after government funding cuts following the last election.
The schemes, totalling millions of pounds, include projects near Heathrow, near David Cameron's country home in Oxfordshire and in the constituency of the minister who oversaw annual flood budget cuts of almost £100m.
West Drayton, near Heathrow, the scene of significant flooding in west London, was in line for £2.8m of funding to build up concrete and earth bank defences by 2014-15. But following budget cuts, the Arklyn Kennels scheme was downgraded to a £1m scheme and delayed until at least 2018-19.
At Penton Hook, on the Thames near flood-affected Staines in Surrey, a £5.6m dredging scheme was due to be completed by the end of March 2014, but has received just £2m to date. The scheme was also intended to clean up a site where contaminated silt dredged from the river was dumped.
Friends of the Earth's Guy Shrubsole said: "These revelations are further proof that the government hasn't been taking the risks of climate change nearly seriously enough. David Cameron accepts that climate change is increasing flood risk – but he's made the false economy of cutting flood defences."
The government's own scientists have identified
rising flood risk as the greatest impact of climate change on the UK, while the Environment Agency states that every £1 spent on flood defences saves £8 in avoided damages.
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Thames flood defences among schemes hit by coalition funding cuts | Environment | The Guardian