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Delivering Recovery, Resilience and Lasting Impact
Since its establishment in May 2024, the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Fund has provided a significant opportunity for the sector to recover from the impacts of severe weather while investing in the future of water level management infrastructure. The programme concluded in March 2026, leaving behind a legacy of strengthened assets, enhanced resilience and improved flood risk management across the country.
Created in response to the damage caused by the storms of 2023/24, including Storm Babet in October 2023, the fund had a clear aim: to support IDBs in repairing storm damage and modernising critical water level management infrastructure.
The demand for funding demonstrated both the scale of need across the sector and the readiness of IDBs to deliver. Applications totalled £163 million against a funding allocation of £91 million, making the programme 180% oversubscribed.
Against this highly competitive backdrop, WMA Member Boards secured an impressive £17 million of funding—representing 19% of the total programme allocation. This investment has supported the delivery of 46 projects across our Member Boards, enabling a wide range of improvements that will strengthen operational resilience and enhance flood risk management for years to come.
The success of the programme demonstrates what can be achieved when local expertise, national support and a shared sense of urgency come together.
Most importantly, the fund has showcased the vital role that Internal Drainage Boards play in managing England’s water landscape. Through their local knowledge, operational expertise and ability to deliver projects quickly and effectively, IDBs continue to provide an essential service in protecting communities, supporting agriculture and enhancing environmental resilience.
Reflecting on the achievements of the programme, the Environment Agency’s Chief Engineer and Director of Asset Management & Engineering, Ian Hodge said:
“This fund has showcased the ingenuity, pace and deep local knowledge that IDBs bring to flood resilience. Their ability to turn urgent need into lasting impact, often within months, is a testament to the sector’s quiet excellence and national importance.”
As the final projects are completed, the legacy of the Storm Recovery and Asset Improvement Fund will continue to be felt across the country through improved infrastructure, enhanced resilience and a stronger understanding of the critical role IDBs play in managing water and flood risk.
