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

What recent discussions he has had with representatives of the Environment Agency on flood defences in Prestolee, Bolton.

The proposed Prestolee and Stoneclough flood scheme will protect approximately 80 homes in the community of Prestolee. The scheme is at the design stage and an outline business case is being developed. The total overall cost is likely to be around £3 million to £5 million, and a sizeable amount of investment has already been raised. The Environment Agency hopes to begin construction by spring 2023, completing works before March 2024.