A blueprint to help to deliver improved protection for people and property nationally, from coastal flooding and erosion was set out yesterday by Phil Woolas, Minister for Climate Change and Flooding. The Environment Agency's Strategic Overview Implementation Plan outlines how Government will work with the EA, local authorities and coastal flooding groups to improve the prioritisation and management of all work on the coast.

Minster for Climate Change and Flooding Phil Woolas said:

"Recent events have reinforced just how devastating and lasting the effects of flooding can be to people and property. If we are to protect ourselves from the impacts of our changing climate we have to take a strategic approach that ensures flood defences and coastal protection are cost effective and sustainable for the long term. This plan will help to deliver that.

"We announced in June that the Environment Agency would oversee the management of all flood and erosion risk on the English coast from 1st April 2008, following widespread consultation. Since then we have been working in partnership with local authorities and coastal groups to map out exactly how we could all best achieve this. Work to deliver this process has already begun.

"As part of our ongoing commitment we have announced record levels of investment in flood risk management and coastal erosion work, but we also have a responsibility to taxpayers who need to know that this funding is being used to best effect. By having a single body responsible for the strategic overview of the coast, we will be better placed to achieve this."

Currently there are 92 coastal local authorities responsible for coastal erosion works, some of which also carry out sea flooding work. Currently the Environment Agency oversees the majority of sea flooding works, but doesn't have a role in coastal erosion. At present both local authorities and the EA put forward local projects, which if successful are funded directly by Government. Once this blueprint has been fully implemented, the Environment Agency's strategic overview role means that they will be responsible for the funding of all coastal work as well as overseeing its delivery. Government will still set the criteria that projects will need to meet in order to receive funding.

Actions within the plan include: * Closer working with Regional Flood Defence Committees and Coastal Groups in order to better plan for flood and coastal erosion risk management, locally. * Giving the Environment Agency responsibility for ensuring consistent production of quality shoreline management plans. * Ensuring the Environment Agency produces coastal maps that will clarify the current complex responsibilities for the coastline

* Providing the Environment Agency with powers that will enable them to assume this new role through minor amendments to primary legislation where necessary.

Phil Woolas continued:

"This challenging new role for the Environment Agency means that decisions on coastal work will be based on what is most needed in order to protect people and properties not only locally, but also nationally. Crucially Government will still play a key role in this process, as we will set the targets for the overall programme of work to be delivered, as well as providing the funding."

Barbara Young, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency said:

"We are looking forward to this new strategic overview role on the coast and the opportunity it gives us to work with Local Authorities for the future."