§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when funding promised for flood defence in the City of Hereford will be delivered by(a) the Welsh Assembly and (b) the Government. [140817]
§ Mr. MorleyDefra provides funding for capital flood defence schemes in England which meet set criteria and achieve an appropriate priority score. The Welsh Assembly does not provide funding for flood defence work in England. However the responsibility for deciding on which projects to promote and their timing rests with local operating authorities, such as the Environment Agency. I understand that the Agency's Wye Local Flood Defence Committee gave priority to 145W constructing defences for Hampton Bishop rather than Hereford, but have engaged consultants to determine the viability of flood defence measures for Hereford. I understand that the consultants are due to complete a project appraisal report by June 2004 and the Agency plans to start work on a scheme at Hereford in 2005, if it qualifies for funding.
§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason £700,000 has been paid to W. S. Atkins for a design for the flood defences in Hereford City. [140818]
§ Mr. MorleyI understand that to date, the Environment Agency has paid Atkins Water fees totalling £145,000 in relation to the Hereford Flood Alleviation Scheme. The work carried out includes feasibility studies, environmental investigations, hydraulic river modelling, design, public consultation and liaison with other public bodies. A further £155,000 will be paid to Atkins Water by the Agency for completion of the project appraisal report. Detailed design of the scheme will cost an estimated £200,000 which will bring the total expenditure on fees to Atkins Water to approximately £500,000, a sum that the Agency believes reflects the particular complexities associated with the scheme, which is currently forecast to cost some £4.2 million.