Salisbury MP John Glen backs Britford flood defence scheme

The village next to the River Avon was hit by Storm Henk in January, causing record flooding and forcing some families out of their homes for months.

Parts of Britford were also submerged in 2023. In planning documents, the parish council said this was the first time the village had flooded in consecutive years in living memory.

In October, the parish submitted plans to construct a bund (raised bank of land) to protect the flood-prone village during heavy rainfall.

The community would need to raise around £100,000 to fund the scheme.

Flooding at the junction of Lower Road and Church Lane (Image: Salisbury Journal) Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the plans by January 10.

Mr Glen, who visited Britford in the aftermath of Storm Henk, raised the village's plight in a debate on Storm Bert in the Commons chamber last week.

He sang the praises of the River Park project in Salisbury and called for smaller-scale flood defence schemes to receive Environment Agency support.

After welcoming the investment in flood defences at the River Park Scheme in Salisbury, I asked the Secretary of State whether he would ensure smaller schemes, like the one planned for Britford, receive Environment Agency support. I will follow up with the relevant minister. pic.twitter.com/pgnsn7ZKiH

— Rt Hon John Glen MP (@JohnGlenUK) November 26, 2024

Addressing Environment Secretary Steve Reed, Mr Glen said: “In addition to the £30 million which the people of Salisbury are very grateful for for the River Park scheme, which is just completed, it is important that smaller schemes, driven by parishes like Britford Parish Council, are given license to combine both their own precept and investment from the Environment Agency to come up with bespoke schemes.

“Would he ensure that attention is given by the Environment Agency for how they can give as much flexibility as possible so that small schemes can move forward at a parish level?”

Mr Reed replied: “I think he makes a very important point there, a very interesting point, about how we can better tie up different approaches to funding.

“I will take that back and discuss it with the Environment Agency, and I will ensure that he is written to with a full response.”