Internal Drainage Boards: Cambridgeshire
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2025 to Question 36866 on Internal Drainage Boards: Cambridgeshire, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of all pumping infrastructure under the Middle Level Commissioners.
Answered by Emma Hardy
The Middle Level Commissioners take responsibility for assessing the condition and adequacy of their infrastructure. Where they identify a need for future capital investment, the Environment Agency (EA) will support them to secure funding and deliver capital schemes for their assets.
The pumping infrastructure in the Fens is important in enabling communities and businesses in this area to continue to thrive and support the local and national economy. The EA is developing a long-term adaptive plan for flood infrastructure in the Fens. The 'Fens 2100+’ Programme is a £9.8 million programme to develop a Fens-wide flood resilience investment strategy that achieves long-term value for money and generates regional and national benefits. It’s being developed with, and for, Flood Risk Management Authorities so they can plan for the next 20-25 years of flood risk management. This investment strategy will be completed in 2025. The Middle Level Commissioners, and the assets and system they manage are a key part of this work.
The Government has also announced an additional £16 million in funding for IDBs this year.
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