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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve flood prevention in rural Fylde.

The Environment Agency (EA) invests where it can provide the greatest benefit to people and property to better protect against the risk of flooding.

The EA has recently completed the £3 million East Lytham Flood Alleviation Scheme which better protects 652 properties and a large rural area of South Fylde.

The EA completed embankment improvements in 2018 south of Moss Side, with another embankment improvement just north of Moss Side planned for April this year.

The EA also carries out routine maintenance across rural areas where they link urban areas such as the Main Drain and Liggard Brook catchments.

In wider Fylde, the Fairhaven and Church Scar Coast Protection Scheme, which includes Granny's Bay, is currently in construction and due to be completed by 2020. The scheme has been funded by over £20 million of grant in aid and will better protect 2347 properties.

Blackpool Council is also delivering the Starr Hill Sand Dunes project in partnership with Fylde Borough Council and Lancashire Wildlife Trust. The scheme will better protect 521 properties, whilst also enhancing the dune system through environmental improvements.

The EA also attends the Fylde Making Space for Water Group and continues to actively work with partners to address flooding issues in Fylde.