MP to visit Sheffield as part of flood resilience review

Sheffield Council will strengthen its call for further investment in flood defences in the city when MP Oliver Letwin visits the city next week.
Cllr Terry FoxCllr Terry Fox
Cllr Terry Fox

The visit, led by the Environment Agency,forms part of the MP’s flood resilience review which will look at the future funding of flood schemes.

Sheffield Council has worked with the Environment Agency to develop a flood defence programme involving five new major schemes.

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The work is expected to cost around £43 million but so far the Government has only earmarked £23 million.

Councillor Terry Fox, Sheffield Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “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 £1 billion 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.”