South Lancaster Flood Action Group have been demanding solutions to the rampant flooding that Lancaster is prone to for years now, engaging with the Environment Agency to get this done.

I’ve been pleased to do my part as a Parliamentarian to pressure the Government into putting Ministers’ warm words into real action by funding the EA’s proposals.

Storm Desmond hit Lancaster just a few months into my role as a Member of Parliament in 2015. I didn’t have all the answers, but I saw first hand the catastrophic damage and devastation it caused residents and businesses.

Since then the city has been hit by flood after flood, particularly in the Hala and Newlands area with regular flooding of the Burrow Beck, and I’ve been committed to fighting for flood defence action to protect Lancastrians for the long term.

Today I’m delighted to share that following a huge campaign to push the Government into action and fully recognise and fund the Environment Agency’s flood scheme at Burrow Beck, DEFRA have finally announced that they will be allocating £650,000 to a flood mitigation scheme.

In an update, DEFRA Minister Rebecca Pow has advised:

“I can now confirm that Burrow Beck Conveyance Improvements in your constituency has been allocated £650,000 from this Allowance for 2023/24.

You can see the other successful projects that will receive an allocation from the Frequently Flooded Allowance in 2023/24 at Frequently Flooded Allowance: Funding for repeatedly flooded communities – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

…This is a very positive step forward for those in your constituency that have been negatively impacted by flooding in the past and shows our commitment to ensure that communities that experience repeated flooding are supported to reduce their flood risk in the future.”

This will hopefully come as great news and a huge relief to residents across the Burrow Beck catchment area, including Hala and Newlands.

This comes on the back of a huge push in Parliament, as well as the fantastic commitment and engagement by the South Lancaster Flood Action Group, and regularly affected residents who I want to pay tribute to for their persistence and determination to maintain the pressure on getting something done. I’d like to thank everyone who has helped to make this a possibility.

Related links:

Cat Demands Burrow Beck Flood Funding from the Government

Government Refuse Full Flood Funding in Lancaster

Cat Demands City Council Action on Burrow Beck Vegetation

Cat opposes Grab Lane Housing Development – Tackles Lancaster City Council over Lancaster Flood Zone

Flooding – Lancaster Update

Cat visits Hala flood site [VIDEO]

Cat visits Hala Road – Flooding Nightmare!

Cat quizzes DEFRA on rural flooding risks in Cockerham, Winmarleigh and Pilling [VIDEO]

WPQ – Cat questions Government on flood defence maintenance in Lancashire

Cat Tackles Government Over Lancaster Flooding

WPQ – Cat questions Government on flood funding for Lancashire

Cat raises flooding concerns in Preesall and Fleetwood

Cat Shares South Lancaster Flood Action Group’s Concerns on flooding risk in Lancaster

Cat highlights BIBA flood insurance for businesses impacted by Lancaster’s flood risks

Cat questions Minister – Not a penny of spending on flood defences in Lancaster [VIDEO]

Cat shares Met Office Yellow Weather Warning update

Cat tackles Secretary of State for DEFRA on Flood Risk Management Scheme Funding

Cat celebrates Caton’s official opening of a major flood risk management scheme on the River Lune

Cat Meets with Environment Agency on Flood Defences

Cat shares Barton Road/Hala flooding alerts

Cat’s alarmed by the worst flooding we’ve seen in the Lancaster area

Cat Meets with Environment Agency to discuss flooding and constituent concerns!

Cat visits Storm Desmond affected areas