§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has been spent on sea and river defences in Suffolk between and including the rivers Blyth and Stour in each of the last 10 years. [15835]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Environment Agency does not have information readily available on this basis.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to protect Suffolk environmentally sensitive areas from flooding due to bad weather. [15833]
§ Mr. MorleyOperational management of flood and coastal erosion risk in England is a matter for local operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and internal drainage boards. I understand the Norfolk and Suffolk Flood Defence Committee of the EA is currently planning to undertake some 17 work projects or studies with a view to alleviating flood risk in areas that include environmental sites of European importance (Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Ramsar sites) in Suffolk which are at risk of flooding.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the shingle bank that protects the Alde and Ore estuary will be recharged. [15814]
§ Mr. MorleyI understand that, subject to the completion of an Appropriate Assessment as required by the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc) Regulations 1994, the Environment Agency plan to begin to recharge this shingle bank in April to May 2002. However the Agency have an agreement with English Nature that emergency works can be carried out if these become necessary in the meantime.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual cost is of shingle bank recharge between and including the rivers Blyth and Stour estuaries; and what the cost is of recharging the shingle banks that protect the Alde and Ore estuary. [15813]
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§ Mr. MorleyI understand from the Environment Agency that the average annual costs of shingle recharge/movement on the following areas is:
£000 per annum Slaughden (Alde-Ore Estuary) 30 Easton Broad (North of Southwold) 10 Dunwich-Walberswick 15 Total 55 There is not shingle recharge/movement on the River Stour.
§ Mr. GummerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the loss of habitat in environmentally sensitive areas of Suffolk as a result of breached sea and river defences in the last 10 years. [15834]
§ Mr. MorleyOperational management of flood and coastal erosion risk in England, including environmentally sensitive areas, is a matter for local operating authorities. I understand that the Environment Agency, the main flood defence operating authority, has not abandoned any sea or river defences in Suffolk in the last 10 years.