Political Opinion: Labour is investing £60,000 in flood defences for Eastwood.
In October 2023, Eastwood was hit by unprecedented flooding during Storm Babet.
A total of 76 properties were flooded, alongside many gardens and local businesses.
For many residents, the impact was devastating, with some unable to return to their homes for over a year.
Since my election in 2024, I have made securing additional resources to protect communities in Broxtowe from flooding a top priority.
In November 2024, over 140 Eastwood residents attended my public meeting to share their experiences and concerns following the floods.
Their accounts highlighted not only the physical damage caused, but the long term emotional and financial toll on those affected.
Following this public meeting, I brought resident’s concerns to Broxtowe Council, Nottinghamshire Council and the Environment Agency.
I also pressed the case for improved flood protection in Broxtowe at Prime Minister’s Questions, ensuring this issue was raised at the highest level of Government.
In March 2025, Eastwood received a visit from the Government’s Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP (Lab).
Together, we toured areas affected by the flooding, and local residents spoke directly to the minister about their firsthand experiences of Storm Babet and its aftermath.
This visit was an important opportunity to ensure the voices of Eastwood residents were heard nationally.
I am very pleased that sustained campaigning for more investment in flood defences for Eastwood has yielded results.
The Government has announced that £60,000 will be invested in the Eastwood Flood Alleviation Scheme for 2026-27.
This funding is part of the largest flood resilience programme in England’s history, with at least £10.5 billion being invested between 2024 and 2036 to better protect homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
This is a sea change from the previous Government, when 14 years of underinvestment left our flood defences in the worst condition on record.
The Eastwood Flood Alleviation Scheme is currently in its study stage, which involves hydraulic modelling for potential intervention scenarios along the Beauvale Brook.
These include ways of increasing flood storage capacity, aimed at reducing the flow of water reaching Eastwood during storm events.
I look forward to seeing this scheme progress and will continue working alongside residents and public agencies to ensure Eastwood receives the protection it deserves.
This investment is a vital step towards helping residents feel safer and more secure in their homes.