Flood defence work to start early

The £20m schemes will protect a total of 27,000 properties in England

Flood defences to protect 3,600 homes in Kent are among schemes being brought forward a year to boost the economy, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

Work is now likely to start in 2009 to improve coastal defences in Deal to protect against future sea level rises.

The scheme is one of several which will be brought forward from 2010-2011 if final approval is given in February.

Others include the construction of two new pumping stations and a replacement of a tidal sluice in east London.

The work there is planned to reduce the risk of river and tidal flooding of homes, businesses and infrastructure in the Thames Estuary.

Jobs created

The proposal to bring £20m of work forward was set out by the government in this month's pre-budget report.

The number of jobs created by the schemes will be determined then, the EA said.

It said the work would protect 27,000 properties in England.

"This is good news for a number of communities at risk of flooding, as the Government's announcement will enable us to start some schemes more quickly," said EA chief executive Dr Paul Leinster.

"Climate change will mean that the number of people at high risk from flooding could rise from 1.5 million to 3.5 million by 2080 and we need to do everything we can to protect homes and communities."

The Government said bringing forward the funding would mean "significant investment in critical infrastructure" as well as providing a necessary boost to the economy.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the government was committed to spending a total of £2.15bn on flood defences between 2007 and 2011.