UK group to combat northern flooding

Farmers Guardian (UK): THE Environment Agency has formed a new climate change group in Northumberland to tackle flooding and other extreme weather events. Landowners, farmers and a host of agri-environment bodies have joined the group, known as Cheviot Futures, after negative feedback in the wake of the 2008 floods.

The group aims to develop a collaborative and streamlined approach to tackle all environmental issues, but flooding is top of the list of priorities. Farmer Simon Henderson, who was flooded out in 2008, welcomed the chance to work together to mitigate a repeat.

“In this area farmers are more vulnerable than most to extreme weather conditions, including flooding, drought and wind. “We hear a lot of talk about climate change, but now, through Cheviot Futures, farmers will be able to take positive action to safeguard their own future and that of future generations.”

…The group has already had some success – becoming the first organisation in England to secure EU New Leader funding. It has received £45,000 to help build a visitor centre which will form the basis of the project’s communications campaign….

Gate on Sandgate, in the town walls of Berwick, England (in Northumberland). Shot by Jonathan Oldenbuck, Wikimedia Commons, under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License