Major schemes in the pipeline have already started and include the £59m Bridgwater tidal barrier (Kier), £37m Derby flood works (Sisk) and Kendal Flood Risk management scheme (VolkerStevin).
The programme also spans small repairs works alongside a growing push on natural flood management to slow water upstream.
Click here for full list of schemes.
Around £260m has also been ringfenced for repairs and maintenance of existing assets, including damage caused by recent storms, marking a turnaround after years of declining asset condition.
It forms part of a wider £10.5bn investment plan running to 2036 – the largest flood protection programme ever seen in England.
Major flood protection schemes
Project
County
Investment (£m)
Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme
Somerset
59.3
Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme
Derbyshire
37.1
Kendal Flood Risk Management Scheme
Cumbria
24.3
Upper Thurne Integrated Drainage Improvements
Norfolk
20.3
Blackpool Beach Nourishment Scheme
Lancashire
17.7
River Thames Scheme
Surrey
17.0
River Roch Flood Risk Management Scheme
Greater Manchester
16.7
Preston and South Ribble Flood Scheme
Lancashire
15.2
Bispham Coast Protection scheme
Lancashire
14.6
Wareham Coastal Change – Poole Harbour Habitat Creation
Dorset
12.3
Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point Beach Management
Lincolnshire
11.4
Portsea Island – Southsea Coastal Flood Scheme
Hampshire
10.3
Environment Agency flood boss Caroline Douglass added: “We’re combining engineering and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk and build long-term resilience.”
The investment is expected to support thousands of jobs across the supply chain while unlocking development in areas previously constrained by flood risk.
Work will now ramp up across regional frameworks and delivery partners as schemes move into procurement and construction through 2026/27.
Click here for details of the next-generation flood defence framework going out to tender.
