Oxfordshire seeks funding for its flood alleviation scheme amid concerns over repeated delays and rural area support.
This commitment follows previous yearly funding, where recent funding was just over £1 billion. The UK faces more extreme weather now, as climate change causes storms, heavy rainfall, and floods.
Oxford experienced severe flooding earlier this year, caused by Storm Bert and Storm Henk last year. Many projects across the country will get funds, but Oxfordshire schemes have not been funded yet.
The Environment Agency will publish a detailed funding list in the spring. People hope this will fund the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, a major flood scheme planned in England.
This £176 million scheme creates a long stream, to be dug near the city, with paths for walking and cycling. The scheme faced repeated delays for years.
Simon Collings wants the flood scheme’s final approval, as the £175 million was raised already. Some funding gaps exist currently, and this new investment could help fill them promptly. Smaller projects also need funding.
Freddie van Mierlo MP wants action on flooding. His motion has support from other MPs, and it notes deaths while thanking emergency responders.
The motion shows concerns from his voters. Current rules leave rural areas without support after floods. Wheatley and Tiddington flooded in September, but the Flood Recovery Framework wasn’t activated then, even though over 1,000 homes were flooded.
Alan Lovell leads the Environment Agency. He said they will work with the government to deliver vital projects across the country, and they will invest in communities needing it most.