Written question asked by Bob Spink (UK Independence Party) on Friday, 3 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 October 2008. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 13 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Floods: Canvey Island

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with other Departments on the likely effects of the Environment Agency's Thames Estuary 2100 scheme on Canvey Island's (a) public safety and (b) proposed levels of future building.

Answer: [holding answer 8 October 2008]: Discussions regarding the Thames Estuary 2100 (TS2100) project have been held with the Communities and Local Government through the Thames High Level Steering Group. The Environment Agency's TE2100 project recommends that flood risk is managed to keep pace with rising seas caused by climate change. This work is being undertaken at a strategic level and detailed discussions of public safety on Canvey Island have not yet taken place. Any proposals arising from the TE2100 project will fully address public safety.Future development on Canvey Island is not a factor that the TE2100 Project has been tasked to consider; this is a matter that the local planning authority will address in drawing up their local development framework. Any future development will need to be strategically assessed for flood risk and therefore in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 25.

Secondary information