New flooding resilience partnership just launched, promising ‘joint solutions’

The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership was launched today, 23rd September.  

The government said that this partnership of six organisations aims to improve collaboration, deepen understanding of vulnerabilities, and support rural communities and agricultural businesses in building their resilience to present and future flood risks and coastal erosion. 

A spokesperson for UK government said: “Climate change means that people, places and nature are facing more frequent and more severe storms and floods. Last winter saw one of England’s wettest periods since records began in 1836. 

“The partnership unites organisations representing government agencies, trade associations, rural communities and businesses to tackle a joint challenge with joint solutions.” 

The partnership unites six organisations: Action with Communities in Rural England, Association of Drainage Authorities, Country Land and Business Association, Environment Agency, National Farmers Union and Natural England.

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Work plan published 

The partnership has just published its work plan, covering years from 2024 to 2026.  

Partners and a wide range of projects will work together to improve their evidence base and will draw on this to co-develop solutions, the government said. 

The work plan sets out 21 actions supporting seven strategic outcomes focused on: developing the evidence base behind decision-making to increase resilience; ensuring communities, farmers and landowners have access to quality advice and support; and engaging rural communities in flood resilience.   

Short and medium-term solutions 

Robert Caudwell, chair of the Association of Drainage Authorities, said: “Our climate is changing rapidly, and those living and working in rural parts of England are some of the most aware of, and most vulnerable to, those changes. 

“Listening to the voice of rural communities is essential if we are to build England’s resilience to flooding and drought in the future.  

“The best solutions can often be achieved when public authorities work together with local businesses and communities, combining their land and water management expertise with a deeper understanding of our local landscape and those impacted.” 

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Victoria Vyvyan added: “The damage to rural land and businesses from flooding is localised but acute, and the frequency of these events will increase with climate change.   

“It is crucial to improve the resilience of rural businesses and communities to flooding. The CLA hopes this partnership will provide the evidence, awareness of risks, and access to practical advice that will allow them to improve their resilience.   

“This partnership will look for short and medium-term solutions whilst raising awareness of the rural-specific costs and challenges from flooding which our members face.” 

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