Fens 2100+ Programme

Transforming the approach to investing in flood and coastal resilience for the future of the UK Fens

The Fens is one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK. Once a natural marshland, it has become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the UK.

The marshes were drained in the 17th Century, using man-made engineering methods such as drainage systems, embankments and pumping stations. Being below sea level the water in the Fens must be constantly managed to ensure they is enough water for agriculture while also draining water off the landscape in heavy rain.

Following the second world war, in response to a demand for food production, there was significant investment in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Assets (Sluices, Pumping Stations etc). Many of the flood risk assets that were constructed at this time are still in place today and continue to serve their original purpose

What is Fens 2100+?

Fens 2100+ was set up to deliver a specific measure within the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy (highlighting the urgency and importance of action).

We are a partnership delivering a £9.8m programme of work to develop a long-term plan for managing future flood risk in the Fens.

Why is it needed?

Living and working in the Fens is only possible because of a complex system of around 17,000 flood risk and water level management assets, such as pumping stations, tidal barriers, drainage channels and embanked defences.

This critical system is estimated to deliver more than £58bn worth of benefits – both through direct protection to people and properties, businesses, critical infrastructure, and agricultural land, and through indirect benefits to the local economy, for example through jobs, and the food and drink sector supply chain.


The above diagram shows how the Fens contributes to the UK economy, and the vulnerabilities it faces from being a lowland landscape


However, this flood risk and water management system faces significant challenges - many of the assets are beyond their design life, and under increasing pressure from climate related impacts. If they fail, the consequences could be catastrophic.

We will need to invest differently in the way we manage water and flood risk assets in future to address these challenges.


Fens 2100+ Goals and Projects

The Fens 2100+ Programme aims to transform how we invest in flood and coastal resilience. Its core projects include:

Catchment Baseline Reports

  • Provide a detailed picture of current flood risk and asset performance across the Fens

  • Identify challenges, opportunities, and priorities

Case for Change Document

  • Highlights the urgent need for change

  • Sets out the strategic case for continued and enhanced investment

  • Highlights the national and regional value of the Fens

  • Includes a partnership action plan to guide the next decade

A Decade of Action

  • Develops catchment-level investment strategies

  • Clarifies short- and medium-term priorities for maintaining and improving Flood Coastal Risk Management infrastructure

  • Enables longer term transformational change and radical landscape choices

These publications will be launched in Spring 2026, marking a major milestone for the programme.



Get involved!

  • Firstly we would like to encourage you to register with EHQ, this helps to interact with tools on this page.
  • Secondly if you would like to add this project to others that you follow on this platform, please subscribe. You will also be added to our e-mail list for any significant updates. We do not issues auto-notifications, so please do come back and check for updates.
  • Please check-out our news feed for updates on the programme, and updates to this page
  • We will continue to add useful content to the information section for your reference
  • We will announce any opportunities to meet or discuss, either online or face-to-face
  • We will update the programme timeline with milestone dates and activities
  • In the future we will also announce when we create a poll, survey or forum to get your feedback on specific topics or how we might improve the content on this page for you.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments you are welcome to contact using our enquiries email.

Transforming the approach to investing in flood and coastal resilience for the future of the UK Fens

The Fens is one of the most distinctive landscapes in the UK. Once a natural marshland, it has become one of the most productive agricultural regions in the UK.

The marshes were drained in the 17th Century, using man-made engineering methods such as drainage systems, embankments and pumping stations. Being below sea level the water in the Fens must be constantly managed to ensure they is enough water for agriculture while also draining water off the landscape in heavy rain.

Following the second world war, in response to a demand for food production, there was significant investment in the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Assets (Sluices, Pumping Stations etc). Many of the flood risk assets that were constructed at this time are still in place today and continue to serve their original purpose

What is Fens 2100+?

Fens 2100+ was set up to deliver a specific measure within the National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy (highlighting the urgency and importance of action).

We are a partnership delivering a £9.8m programme of work to develop a long-term plan for managing future flood risk in the Fens.

Why is it needed?

Living and working in the Fens is only possible because of a complex system of around 17,000 flood risk and water level management assets, such as pumping stations, tidal barriers, drainage channels and embanked defences.

This critical system is estimated to deliver more than £58bn worth of benefits – both through direct protection to people and properties, businesses, critical infrastructure, and agricultural land, and through indirect benefits to the local economy, for example through jobs, and the food and drink sector supply chain.


The above diagram shows how the Fens contributes to the UK economy, and the vulnerabilities it faces from being a lowland landscape


However, this flood risk and water management system faces significant challenges - many of the assets are beyond their design life, and under increasing pressure from climate related impacts. If they fail, the consequences could be catastrophic.

We will need to invest differently in the way we manage water and flood risk assets in future to address these challenges.


Fens 2100+ Goals and Projects

The Fens 2100+ Programme aims to transform how we invest in flood and coastal resilience. Its core projects include:

Catchment Baseline Reports

  • Provide a detailed picture of current flood risk and asset performance across the Fens

  • Identify challenges, opportunities, and priorities

Case for Change Document

  • Highlights the urgent need for change

  • Sets out the strategic case for continued and enhanced investment

  • Highlights the national and regional value of the Fens

  • Includes a partnership action plan to guide the next decade

A Decade of Action

  • Develops catchment-level investment strategies

  • Clarifies short- and medium-term priorities for maintaining and improving Flood Coastal Risk Management infrastructure

  • Enables longer term transformational change and radical landscape choices

These publications will be launched in Spring 2026, marking a major milestone for the programme.



Get involved!

  • Firstly we would like to encourage you to register with EHQ, this helps to interact with tools on this page.
  • Secondly if you would like to add this project to others that you follow on this platform, please subscribe. You will also be added to our e-mail list for any significant updates. We do not issues auto-notifications, so please do come back and check for updates.
  • Please check-out our news feed for updates on the programme, and updates to this page
  • We will continue to add useful content to the information section for your reference
  • We will announce any opportunities to meet or discuss, either online or face-to-face
  • We will update the programme timeline with milestone dates and activities
  • In the future we will also announce when we create a poll, survey or forum to get your feedback on specific topics or how we might improve the content on this page for you.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments you are welcome to contact using our enquiries email.

Page last updated: 01 Dec 2025, 07:01 PM