Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the robustness of the flood defences being implemented along the River Severn; and what their estimated lifespan is.

The Environment Agency, along with other members of the River Severn partnership, is currently investigating options to reduce flood risk along the River Severn. As well as the potential for new measures, this is taking into account the role and lifespan of existing flood risk management assets and how these might be affected by climate change.

The lifespan of any new flood risk management asset forms a key part of the assessment of their benefits when considering the expenditure of public funds.

The Environment Agency routinely maintains its existing flood risk management assets and has dedicated teams in place to operate them 24 hours a day. So far this financial year 4,260 asset inspections have been carried out across the Severn catchment, ensuring they remain operational, protecting the communities they are designed for.