Economy to get extra weather lagging

THE economy could suffer unless urgent action is taken to protect roads, railways and power supplies from the impact of climate change, Ministers have warned.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has unveiled a plan to make sure that the £200bn that is expected to be poured into UK infrastructure over the next five years can stand up to extreme weather.

Officials have spent two years drawing up the plan to ensure transport arteries, power and water supplies and wireless internet networks can cope with the predicted increase in floods, droughts and storms that are expected to accompany rising temperatures,

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Speaking at Blackfriars Station in London, which Network Rail says is being redeveloped with the long-term implications of climate change in mind, Ms Spelman said the UK economy would not be able to grow if infrastructure failed.

She said: “Our economy is built on effective transport and communications networks and reliable energy and water supplies. But the economy cannot grow if there are repeated power failures, or goods cannot be transported because roads are flooded and railways have buckled, or if intense rainfall or high temperatures disrupt wi-fi signals.

“£200bn is expected to be invested in the UK’s infrastructure over the next five years.

“But if the facilities which support our society cannot cope with floods, droughts or freezing winters then that money will have been wasted.”

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The report, produced by a series of Government departments, outlines how planning and design of new infrastructure needs to take into account the impact of climate change – especially as many projects will still be in place in 50 to 100 years time.

But it comes as the Government cuts spending on flood defences, with communities expected to have to contribute in future.