A blueprint to help deliver improved protection for people and property nationally, from coastal flooding and erosion has today been set out by Phil Woolas, Minister for Climate Change and Flooding.

The Environment Agency's Strategic Overview Implementation Plan outlines how Government will work with the EA, local authorities and coastal flooding groups to improve the prioritisation and management of all work on the coast.

Minster for Climate Change and Flooding Phil Woolas said: "Recent events have reinforced just how devastating and lasting the effects of flooding can be to people and property.

"If we are to protect ourselves from the impacts of our changing climate we have to take a strategic approach that ensures flood defences and coastal protection are cost effective and sustainable for the long term. This plan will help to deliver that."

In June that the Environment Agency announced that it would oversee the management of all flood and erosion risk on the English coast from 1st April 2008, following widespread consultation. Since then they been working in partnership with local authorities and coastal groups to map out exactly how we could all best achieve this. Work to deliver this process has already begun.

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The minister said a single body for the strategic overview of the coast, will be better placed to achieve goals.

Currently there are 92 coastal local authorities responsible for coastal erosion works, some of which also carry out sea flooding work. Currently the Environment Agency oversees the majority of sea flooding works, but doesn't have a role in coastal erosion. At present both local authorities and the EA put forward local projects, which if successful are funded directly by Government.

Once this important blueprint has been fully implemented, the Environment Agency's strategic overview role means that they will be responsible for the funding of all coastal work as well as overseeing its delivery. Government will still set the criteria that projects will need to meet in order to receive funding.

Actions within the plan include closer working with Regional Flood Defence Committees and Coastal Groups in order to better plan for flood and coastal erosion risk management, locally. The Environment Agency will be given responsibility for ensuring consistent production of quality shoreline management plans.

The Environment Agency are to produce coastal maps that will clarify the current complex responsibilities for the coastline and will receive powers that will enable them to assume this new role through minor amendments to primary legislation where necessary.

Phil Woolas continued: "This challenging new role for the Environment Agency means that decisions on coastal work will be based on what is most needed in order to protect people and properties not only locally, but also nationally.

"Crucially Government will still play a key role in this process, as we will set the targets for the overall programme of work to be delivered, as well as providing the funding."

Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said: "We are looking forward to this new strategic overview role on the coast and the opportunity it gives us to work with Local Authorities for the future."

Whilst the Environment Agency will have the overview and responsibility for the delivery of all works, it will continue to work closely with local authorities on the coast to achieve this. It will also ensure local authorities share their vital skills and expertise where necessary with other communities in need.

(GK/JM)