£20m funding gap in Sheffield’s flood defences

AUTHORITIES are calling for further £20m in funding for flood defences as the Government’s pledge of £23m proves inadequate.

Sheffield City Council is calling for further investment in the city, having worked with the Environment Agency to come up with a “comprehensive” flood scheme – requiring millions more than the Government has earmarked.

In January the council asked the Government for the additional £20m but are yet to receive any commitment to the extra funding.

Councillor Terry Fox, cabinet member for environment and transport at Sheffield City Council said: “We have only been able to start projects like the Lower Don Valley and Nursery Street Pocket Park by thinking differently and developing innovative ways to progress flood defences – we now urgently need the Government to commit to the extra funding so that we can deliver this essential programme across the city.

“This is about protecting Sheffield people and businesses and then driving growth of business and homes. We need Government to work with us to ensure our city is prepared and protected or we could be facing potential economic damages of £1bn if we’re hit by severe flooding again. We’ve said it before, when we wrote to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor of the Exchequer in January, protection is cheaper than the cure, and now we hope to impress this message upon Mr Letwin when he joins us in April.”

The five schemes that form the programme include: a £15m flood alleviation scheme for the River Sheaf and Porter Brook; a £15m flood alleviation scheme in the Upper Don, including the rivers Loxley and Little Don; an £8m culvert renewal programme on watercourses across the city; a £3m environmental scheme to manage flooding and surface water from planned developments on the Manor and Arbourthorne estates; and a £2m flood alleviation scheme on the Blackburn Brook, which would benefit homes and businesses in Chapeltown and Ecclesfield.