Businesses at risk of flooding feel 'let down' as £70m scheme halted
Businesses still reeling from major flooding last year feel "let down" after plans to protect hundreds of homes and businesses from flooding has been paused.
The River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme (RIFAS) is planned to cover a 3.7-kilometre stretch on the west side of the estuary from the Itchen Bridge to just past the Northam Bridge, but has now been "temporarily halted", Southampton City Council says.
The scheme would have protected more than 153 homes, including the Northam Estate, 288 businesses, and key road and rail links from flooding.
The decision to halt the scheme comes after the Environment Agency (EA) decided to withdraw its funding in March.
Costs have also ballooned, to almost double, with an identified funding shortfall that now exceeds £50 million.
Businesses that flooded in Storm Pierrick last year have reacted with bitter disappointment to the news.
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Gary Hocking owns the Express MOT Garage on Endle Road. Just last year, his business was brought to the brink after suffering £90,000 in damage as flood water rushed in during the night.
Even now, he still finds equipment rendered unusable by the water. He said: "I am disappointed to hear it, we feel let down. As a business owner, there is no consideration being given by the council or by the EA.
"We are still at a big risk. I am always watching the weather in case there's another flood. I never got help last time.
"It is going to take years to get back, getting equipment repaired. Still, no insurance company will touch businesses along here."
Flooding in Albert Road North, Southampton, in April 2024READ MORE:
Another affected business owner, 64, who does not want to be named for fear of suffering further financial harm, says the flood last year caused so much damage that he had to sell his flat to raise funds to stay in business.
He said: "We lost everything. One of our customers lost about £100,000 in stock and went bust.
"We could lose our business because of this, because the council has done nothing, and we could go bust in a month.
"I wish I could do something about it, but the only way I can get out of here is if I go bust."
The leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker said: "While we appreciate the significant challenges facing the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme, we remain dedicated to finding ambitious, strategic and innovative alternative plans to improve flood resilience for the area."
Speaking in the Southampton Full Council meeting, Cllr Eamon Keogh said that the reason the Environment Agency pulled funding was because there were other schemes elsewhere in the country that were "ready to go", adding that the "EA has been underfunded over the last 14 years".
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