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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the Environment Agency plans to proceed with the pilot projects to investigate transferring the management of some stretches of main rivers and associated assets to other risk management authorities or communities where there is local support.

Defra is currently working with the Environment Agency (EA) to consider proposals to change the designation from “main river” to “ordinary watercourse” in a number of locations, where there is local support. The EA is working closely with local interested parties and will keep them updated on progress.