Boost for flood protection funding – but property resilience still largely overlooked
Industry experts have welcomed the unlocking of additional flood protection funding – but warn it continues to neglect a key area.
The Environment Agency (EA) has announced £68m for flood schemes in the East of England, as part of a £2.65bn Government commitment to flood schemes over the next two years. However, of the £68m earmarked for the East of England, only £100,000 has so far been allocated to property flood resilience (PFR), benefiting fewer than 60 homes.
Unlike large-scale flood defences, PFR covers a broad range of simple, cost-effective measures deployed to protect individual homes and businesses from flood damage. These products—such as non-return valves, backwater valves, anti-flood air bricks and covers, and flood bags—can reduce post-flood repair costs by up to 70% compared to a home without PFR installed, as reported by the EA.
But while many homeowners and businesses can invest in PFR solutions, vulnerable residents often cannot.
“It is encouraging to see the Government taking flood defence seriously,” says Lee Pashley, managing director of Fernco, a leading manufacturer of flood protection solutions and domestic PFR products. “However, there’s still much more that can and should be done to support property flood resilience in communities, particularly those that are vulnerable in at-risk areas.”
As it stands, many homeowners typically overlook PFR, viewing it as an optional measure rather than a critical investment. But Lee is hoping that the Government—and builders merchants—take steps to highlight its importance and ultimately safeguard homes and businesses from the worst effects of flood damage. He adds: “One in four properties will be at risk from flooding by 2050, so PFR is more vital than ever. Government funding plays an important role in this, but homeowners still have a responsibility to implement protective measures, and that’s where builders merchants come in. They’re ideally placed to ensure the widespread accessibility of these cost-effective, and in some cases, life-saving solutions, and therefore play a pivotal raise in raising awareness of them.”
PFR measures can be the difference between residents being able to remain in the home after a flood or having to move out for many months while extensive repairs take place. Additionally, 97% of residents with PFR installed report that it has made a significant reduction in both damage and stress.
“The funding is a step in the right direction but the current allocation to PFR still falls short,” warns Lee. “The only scheme confirmed so far in the East of England is set to benefit just a handful of homes, and given the increasing risk of flooding, we need far more support across the length and breadth of the country, both in terms of funding to make it widely accessible, and education in truly realising its crucial role.
“At Fernco, we will continue to highlight the importance of PFR and advocate for improved access to these solutions in all communities—because by having PFR products easily available in local merchants, it puts control in homeowners’ hands to be able to make immediate, cost-effective investments to protect their properties against flooding.”