The government have announced plans to boost coastal economies by making £27 million available to local authorities in coastal areas. This timed with the bidding for the next round of the £64 million Coastal Communities Fund being opened will be welcome news for coastal areas.

The Coastal Communities Fund have also announced that bids on coastal flood protection and repair would be prioritised due to the number of tidal surges the UK experienced this Winter.

Commenting on the Coastal Communities Fund, Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury said:

“The Coastal Communities Fund allows us to help communities across the UK to rebuild and regenerate their local economy, with projects this year supporting nearly 4,000 jobs and 1,000 training places. This is even more important given the extreme weather and I’m very pleased we’re giving £17 million of the fund to projects in areas hit by floods.  Additionally, we have invested £5 million from the fund’s reserve into the government’s programme for flood recovery.”

This timed with the £27 million spending power given to those coastal local authorities which is to be used in job and apprenticeship creation could mean a stream of opportunities for contractors, particularly those with relevant skills in flood protection and repair.