ARCHIVE: Why have a new strategy?

A previous Strategy for Flood and Coastal Defence was published in 1993.  In the light of Defra’s aim of sustainable development and drivers such as climate change and planning policy, it was recognised that this strategy needed updating.

Moreover the Foresight Future Flooding report, along with flooding incidents in recent years, such as the serious events in 1998 and 2000 and more recently the Cumbria floods in 2005, have highlighted the need for Government to develop a comprehensive, integrated and forward-thinking strategy for managing future flood and coastal erosion risks in England.

Government Ministers therefore signed up to the development of a new strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management for England in summer 2003.

Defra held a three month consultation on a new cross-Government strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management during Autumn 2004. The Government's First response (PDF 453KB) to Making space for water sets out the strategic direction of travel on key issues. For those areas of complex policy that it cannot resolve, it sets out the programme of work required to achieve this. The programme will take account of any relevant recommendations that emerge from the independent lessons learned review into the 2007 floods that affected many parts of England.

As a framework to guide the programme of work, a Vision and Aim for the strategy have also been developed.

Page last modified: 8 January 2008
Page published: 8 January 2008