Yalding: Money For Better Flood Defences

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, is visiting Yalding today to announce more than £17 million of government funding for much-needed flood defences in the area.

The funding, which will be matched by Kent County Council, will enlarge the Leigh flood defences on the Medway and build a new facility on the River Beult.

The Deputy Prime Minister said: "Earlier this year, Danny Alexander and I saw for ourselves the devastation floods cause to families and businesses in affected areas. Over the past few decades, flood defences in many areas have been neglected, and local people left to fend for themselves.

"Those days are coming to an end. There is no quick solution, but we are making a lasting commitment to Yalding, and other areas hit by chronic flooding, that as the economy grows stronger, we will make sure they get their fair share."

The improvements in Yalding are part of the 2014 National Infrastructure Plan, published today by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, which includes more than 1,400 flood defence projects around the country, providing better protection for 300,000 homes. 

The six year programme – funded by £2.3 billion of capital investment – will help prevent over £30 billion of economic damage.

One hundred and ninety-six million will also be spent on a project improving defences around the Thames Estuary.