Environment Minister Therese Coffey MP has confirmed in the Commons that the Environment Agency is making progress in preparations for the £100 million Boston Barrier, in answer to a question from Boston and Skegness MP Matt Warman.

In the session Matt said, “The £100 million Boston flood barrier is probably the biggest public investment in the town’s entire history—promised and delivered under a Conservative Government. I know that the Minister has had the public inquiry’s report; can she update the House on when we are likely to start actually building?”

In response, the Minister confirmed that she has received the report from the public inquiry, which is now being considered by lawyers, and that in the meantime the Environment Agency is continuing to make the preparations needed to be able to start constructing the barrier as soon as possible.

Afterwards Matt added, “It is reassuring to know that the Environment Agency are making progress with their preparations for the Boston Barrier, so that we can put spade to soil as soon as the go ahead from lawyers following the public inquiry comes through. It is vital that this work starts as soon as the Environment Agency gets the green light, so that we can get on with giving extra protection from flooding to thousands of local homes and businesses. I will continue, as I have done previously, to liaise with the Environment Agency and local councils.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Matt’s full Question can be seen via the following link: http://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2017-10-26/debates/A8EA78B9-953F-4D77-A559-6977BDA4446D/TopicalQuestions