To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what extra work has been carried out by British Waterways as a result of the recent floods; and what estimate he has made of the extra costs of this work to British Waterways over the last two months. (153710)

Additional work carried out by British Waterways during the recent floods included keeping gullies, weirs and spillways clear to ensure that flood waters could disperse more easily and lowering of water in some canals to enhance capacity to take flood water from some of the more severely affected rivers.

British Waterways is still estimating the costs of repairs associated with the most recent flooding in the West Midlands and South West. Assessments of costs incurred in repairs, dredging and staff time for the floods that affected parts of Yorkshire and the East Midlands at the end of June currently stand at approximately £1.5 million.