This week the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, announced a further major investment from the government in flood defences for Romney Marsh. £10million has been set aside by the government to fund the Broomhill Sands Coastal Defence Scheme from Camber to Jury’s Gap, along with schemes for the Romney Sands Coastal Defences, Denge Beach Management, and the sea defences to protect the Lydd Ranges. This investment adds to the current work being undertaken by the Environment Agency to improve the sea defences at Littlestone beach, and the previous multi-million pound investment in the rebuilding of the sea wall at Dymchurch. This is excellent news for residents in Romney Marsh who know that because of its unique geography, it must be defended from coastal flooding at all points where there is a risk of the sea breaking through. Local campaign groups like Defend Our Coast have worked hard over a number of years to highlight areas where investment has been needed, and along with the Hastings and Rye MP, Amber Rudd, I have taken that message to the government.
With winter approaching this new investment in our flood defences is particularly welcome. We are also seeing the benefits of this new infrastructure in other ways too. I have pressed the Department for the Environment to make sure that the flood maps produced by the Environment Agency reflect the benefit of the investment in our defences that has already been delivered. In particular there has been a substantial lowering of the risk of flooding since the completion of the Dymchurch sea wall. This flood mapping work has been completed so insurance companies can base their quotes for home insurance on accurate information, which should mean that many residents will now be paying less to insure their homes.
This Friday I will also be meeting with the local leadership team from the Environment Agency and the Romney Marsh Internal Drainage Board to discuss the work that has been undertaken this year to maintain and repair our inland flood defences. This includes the ongoing work to service the pumps and drainage ditches that are so important to managing the surface water after sustained rainfall.
On Friday evening last week I chaired a meeting for residents in Bromley Green to voice their concerns with Southern Water over long standing issues to do with flooding and removing waste water and sewage. This meeting had been organised by the local Borough Councillor, Jane Martin. Southern Water have promised to put extra resources on standby this winter to support residents and are committed to find a long term solution to the problem within a year. This could lead to a complete replacement or substantial upgrade to the current drainage and sewage system for Bromley Green. There will be a series of quarterly meetings between Southern Water, the council and residents to update them on the progress of this important work. I hope we can make faster progress and that the new scheme will be well underway by this time next year.