The Government has announced a package of funding for flood defences worth £830 million, of which £55 million has been allocated to 51 schemes within the East of England – 24 of which are flood defence projects.
Notable schemes within our region benefiting from this announcement include:
- £20 million for the Upper Thurne Integrated Drainage Improvements in Norfolk
- £8 million for the Benacre and Kessingland Flood Risk Management Scheme in Suffolk.
Local Government East called for greater investment for this infrastructure in Opportunity East, our report produced with the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group. In the publication, we raised the damage inflicted on growth, the economy, and communities by flood risk in all its forms.
However, further investment is needed in crucial flood defences, such as the Lowestoft Tidal Barrier, which are noticeably missing from this announcement.
The East of England, despite having one of the longest and most vulnerable coastlines in the country, has received less funding than comparable regions, particularly when our population growth is considered. As the fastest-growing region in England, sustained underinvestment could risk worsening erosion and limiting our ability to adequately
These issues will be explored further on the 15 October at the region’s first climate conference ‘Climate East 2026’. To be held at Newmarket Racecourse, the conference will include the challenges of flood and coastal erosion, water, transport, energy, health and the natural environment.