News of the funding came in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement this month. It is in addition to £2.1 billion committed in 2010 which has seen construction started on flood defences that will improve protection for more than 16,000 households in the South East. Rye, which stands at the confluence of three rivers, has come close to serious flooding in the past when water rose in the River Tillingham. Homes at Brickyard and the Tilling Green estate have been inches away from disaster after previous floods which have seen roads and pavements under water. Residents have had to be evacuated after flooding at Pett Level and homes in areas of Winchelsea Beach are also at risk. The news has been welcomed by Rye MP Amber Rudd, who said: “This is really good news for residents in Rye and the surrounding area. We all know the destruction that floods can cause and this additional investment from Government will help protect us locally. “I am delighted that the Government has shown its commitment to my residents by confirming this funding for flood defences.” Environment Minister Richard Benyon said: “This scheme will give these communities the chance to design and implement their own projects to protect their homes and businesses from future flooding. “We now expect to exceed our goal to protect a further 145,000 homes and businesses by 2015.” Defra is inviting local authorities, including Rother, to come forward with proposals to improve their communities’ resilience to flooding. Funding for the successful applicants will begin in March 2013. The Environment Agency will work with Regional Flood and Coastal Committees, local authorities and other partners to identify a list of flood and coastal risk management schemes that would unlock land, including areas of Rye, which currently have planning restrictions on them due to flood risk.