Council forced to halt major flood defence scheme

A city council has said it has been forced to halt a major flood defence scheme as it faces significant financial constraints.

Southampton City Council said it remained committed to delivering the River Itchen Flood Alleviation Scheme (RIFAS) despite the economic challenges.

The plans cover the west bank of the river and in December the council estimated it could cost £96.7m.

The local authority said the Environment Agency's (EA) decision to withdraw funding for the project in March, cost increases, design changes and rising inflation rates meant costs for the scheme had almost doubled.

The council said more than 150 homes and 250 businesses were currently at risk of flooding.

Proposals have been progressing to reduce the risk over a 2.2-mile (3.5km) stretch along the west bank of the river.

The project would stretch from Mount Pleasant Industrial Estate in the north, down to Southampton Water Activities Centre to the south of Itchen Bridge.

The EA and Southampton City Council partnered for the RIFAS in 2019, but the agency withdrew its funding on 12 March 2025.

The council said this left it with a funding shortfall that now exceeded £50m.

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."

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