Peter Aldous welcomes the Government’s consideration of the case to fill the funding gap in the stalled Lowestoft Tidal Barrier project which will protect property and unleash the provision of new homes and business opportunities and seeks assurance from the Secretary of State that he will leave no stone unturned in working across Government so that the project can restart.
Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)
T5. Lowestoft is the largest town in the UK without formal flood defences, with the tidal barrier project on hold due to cost increases. I am most grateful to Ministers for considering the compelling case to fill the funding gap that would enable a scheme to proceed that will protect property and unleash the provision of new homes and business opportunities. Will the Secretary of State assure me that he will leave no stone unturned in working across Government so that the project can restart ? (901999)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Barclay)
I pay tribute to the amazing campaign led by my hon. Friend on behalf of those in his constituency. Already, £80 million of support has been secured from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for that scheme. He will be aware that the local authority has changed the scope and driven the cost, so there is a question as to what contributions are made by partners, but he is a formidable champion of the scheme and £80 million has already been allocated.