MOSCOW, December 2 (Sputnik) – The UK government will spend $3.6 billion over the next six years on more than 1,400 flood defense projects across the country, the Treasury announced Tuesday.
£2.3 billion will be invested in flood defences, as part of the National #Infrastructure Plan published today. #BuildingBritain #floods
— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) 2 декабря 2014
"Over the next six years, we will be investing £2.3 billion [$3.6 billion] in more than 1,400 projects across the country. This will reduce flood risk for more than 300,000 households, on top of the 230,000 homes already protected since 2010. It will help keep families and businesses safe from the misery that flooding can cause," the statement on the treasury's official website said.
New flood defence schemes will protect 300,000 homes. @nicolablackwood + I visited one of the areas that will benefit pic.twitter.com/qUxtjngmiH
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) 2 декабря 2014
The investment program, prepared by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Environment Agency (Defra), suggests that over £30 billion ($47 billion) could be saved in the long run by avoiding flood damage to homes, industry and infrastructure. The investment covers better protection for approximately 300,000 houses. Over £15 million (approximately $23 million) will be allocated to the Somerset Levels that were hardest hit by severe floods in 2013.
The issue of protection from flooding is one of the UK government's top priorities as several major floods, which have taken place across the country in recent years, caused tremendous damage to homes, farmlands, railroads, airports and other important infrastructure across Great Britain.
Already in 2014 the United Kingdom has been hit by a series of winter storms resulting in serious coastal damage and the severest flooding since 1953, according to the UK Met Office. The flooding has caused irreparable damage to almost 6,500 homes and has claimed the lives of 17 people.
