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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the risk of flooding in (a) Bothenhampton, (b) Bridport, (c) Maiden Newton, (d) Ryme Intrinseca, (e) Yetminster and (f) Chilfrome.

Protecting communities around the country from flooding is one of the Secretary of State’s five core priorities. That is why we set up a Flood Resilience Taskforce to provide oversight of national and local flood resilience and preparedness ahead of and after the winter flood season.

Over the last few years, we have seen the wettest winters since 1871. Sadly, some communities experienced flooding multiple times and in quick succession. The Environment Agency (EA) has recently published new data showing 6.3 million properties across England are in areas at risk of flooding from one or a combination of rivers, the sea and surface water. These maps are available online and show the latest predictions of flood risk now, and with an allowance for climate change.

The EA operates a flood warning service informing communities of flood risk and when to take precautions. They work closely with partner organisations, through the Local Resilience Forum, to plan and prepare for localised incidents and wider emergencies. The EA operates a wide range of flood defence assets and has an operational response team, which manages the operation of these assets during flooding. In case flood defence assets are exceeded or fail, the EA has well-rehearsed contingency plans which can be deployed to mitigate effects.

The EA continues to build strong relationships with local communities to improve community flood resilience. Through the flood warden programme, the EA engages regularly with volunteers and Parish Councils.

Engagement takes place where the risk is highest and where we receive the highest number of reported flooded properties.