Woodlands plan to help beat floods

THOUSANDS of acres of new woodlands along rivers are to be planted to help manage flood risks and boost water quality and wildlife.

The “woodlands for water” project aims to create 3,150 hectares (7,780 acres) of woods along rivers and waterways in six catchments from Cumbria to Devon by March 2025.

The scheme has been launched by the Environment Department (Defra), with backing from leading environmental organisations the National Trust, Woodland Trust, the Rivers Trust and Beaver Trust.

Creating woodland corridors along rivers can also help wildlife and make rivers more resilient to climate change by providing shade and cooling water temperatures.