New website launched for
Rural Flood Resilience Partnership

The new site can be found at www.ruralfloodresilience.org.uk, and includes updated guidance for rural communities, farmers and landowners, which covers flood preparedness and recovery support.

Further practical guidance for improving the flood resilience of farm buildings will be published on the site later in the year.

Since its launch in 2024, the partnership has helped to strengthen rural representation on Regional Flood and Coastal Committees and internal drainage boards.

It has also established a national Community of Practice for people working to promote flood resilience in rural communities to learn and share best practice.

Action with Communities in Rural England is one of six national bodies included within the partnership.

Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive, Action with Communities in Rural England, said: “The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership is all about bringing different perspectives and expertise together with a shared sense of purpose.

“We’re already starting to see how local knowledge and shared effort can make a real difference.

“As we head into 2026, we will build on this momentum and increase the support available, to help strengthen rural resilience and deliver lasting benefits for local communities.”

The other five organisations that make up the Rural Flood Resilience Partnership are the Association of Drainage Authorities, Country Land and Business Association, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the National Farmers’ Union.

Ben Plummer, Deputy Director for Flood Risk Strategy, Environment Agency, said: “The partnership is already showing the added value of working together to support rural communities facing increasing flood risks.

“By pooling our evidence and expertise, we’re helping farmers and land managers strengthen their resilience.

“We’re pleased with the progress so far and look forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2026.”

Looking ahead to future collaborative working, the partnership will soon be conducting the first coordinated national review of research into rural flooding and coastal change, in collaboration with Harper Adams University.

The work will help to fill longstanding gaps in understanding how rural flood impacts differ from those in towns and cities, and what approaches genuinely increase resilience.

These findings will then be used to shape future planning.

Elsewhere, the partnership has also committed to sharing research findings nationally, scaling up advice around flood resilience, deepening collaboration, and ensuring rural needs continue to help shape the services provided by the partnership’s member organisations.

Paul Tompkins, Deputy President, National Farmers’ Union, said: “The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership has made good progress against its work plan, which was published in 2024.

“From the national review into rural flooding to increasing access to flooding support guidance, the partnership shows the benefits of working together on the important issue of water.

“With much of the country having again experienced severe weather and flooding at the beginning of the year, it’s clear there’s still more to be done.

“That is why we increasingly need a flood management system and investment that recognises the value of protecting agricultural land by maintaining and improving the assets we have.”

Visit the new website at www.ruralfloodresilience.org.uk to stay up-to-date with the latest news and activity from the partnership.

“The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership is all about bringing different perspectives and expertise together with a shared sense of purpose“

Corinne Pluchino, Chief Executive, ACRE