The Government is providing £600,000 towards a £1million flood defence project at Prince of Wales Pier in Falmouth, it was announced this morning.

This will aim to reduce risks associated with surface water flooding and allow further growth in the town centre waterfront location.

£170 million of funding will be available nationally to accelerate work on shovel-ready flood defence schemes that will begin construction in 2020 or 2021.

Falmouth is one of 22 areas across the country will benefit from this immediate boost to jobs supporting the local economy as communities recover from the impact of coronavirus.

Truro and Falmouth Member of Parliament Cherilyn Mackrory said:

"I am absolutely delighted to see these plans for Princess Quay gain funding from the Government as one of 22 new shovel-ready flood defence projects across the country in 2020 and 2021 which will drive growth and unlock a range of benefits for local economies.

"This scheme has been judged to have strong local economic benefits and goes towards the Government's goal of nationally better protecting more than 10,000 local businesses and safeguarding around 100,000 jobs.

"I look forward to working with partners to draw this money down and see these defences put in place for the good of Falmouth as soon as possible."

This funding is part of a new national plan which is reportedly the most comprehensive in a decade, including investment of £5.2 billion to create around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better protect 336,000 properties in England by 2027, alongside support to help households and businesses get back on their feet more quickly after flooding.

The government's ambitious long-term plan sets out five key commitments – supported by over 40 clear actions - which will accelerate progress to better protect and better prepare the country for the coming years:

Upgrading and expanding flood defences and infrastructure across the country.

Managing the flow of water to both reduce flood risk and manage drought.

Harnessing the power of nature to not only reduce flood risk, but deliver benefits for the environment, nature, and communities;

Better preparing communities for when flooding and erosion do occur.

Ensuring every area of England has a comprehensive local plan for dealing with flooding and coastal erosion.

Environment Secretary George Eustice added:

"Our record investment and ambitious policies will better protect homes, schools, hospitals and businesses, but we also recognise that we cannot prevent flooding entirely, which is why we will ensure that communities at high risk are more resilient."