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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of developing a business case for a Silk Stream Flood Alleviation scheme designed to protect houses located in the Silk Stream catchment area.

The Environment Agency is currently working with the Silk Stream project team to help them set out the options appraisal phase of the Silk Stream Flood Alleviation Scheme. This appraisal phase will identify if any options to reduce flood risk to properties are viable. An Outline Business Case will be prepared to take forward any viable options and further partnership funding will be sought.