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Three-quarters of UK flood defences ‘inadequately maintained’ Three-quarters of UK flood defences ‘inadequately maintained’
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Three-quarters of the UK’s flood defences are being inadequately maintained due to budget cuts, putting homes at risk and storing up problems for the future, the government’s climate change advisers warned on Wednesday. Three-quarters of the UK’s flood defences are being inadequately maintained due to budget cuts, putting homes at risk and storing up problems for the future, the government’s climate change advisers warned on Wednesday.
As many as 500 potential new flood defence projects around the country have also been put on hold, further threatening communities and businesses as the effects of global warming – including more flooding, droughts and fiercer storms – take hold. Last winter’s devastating floods in England are likely to be repeated as houses continue to be built on flood plains, and householders are woefully unaware of the risks, according to new research by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the statutory adviser to the government on the effects of global warming on the UK.As many as 500 potential new flood defence projects around the country have also been put on hold, further threatening communities and businesses as the effects of global warming – including more flooding, droughts and fiercer storms – take hold. Last winter’s devastating floods in England are likely to be repeated as houses continue to be built on flood plains, and householders are woefully unaware of the risks, according to new research by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the statutory adviser to the government on the effects of global warming on the UK.
The committee warned that neglecting the need for stronger defences now, because of budget cuts in central government and to the Environment Agency, would simply increase the financial cost in future years. For every £1 spent on flood defences, an estimated £8 is saved, from insurance and the cost of damage to homes and businesses.The committee warned that neglecting the need for stronger defences now, because of budget cuts in central government and to the Environment Agency, would simply increase the financial cost in future years. For every £1 spent on flood defences, an estimated £8 is saved, from insurance and the cost of damage to homes and businesses.
Lord Krebs, chair of the adaptation sub-committee of the CCC, said government cuts had affected the UK’s flood protection: “The Environment Agency has less staff. About 12,000 minor developments (such as householders paving their gardens, leading to increased risk of surface flooding) are not seen by the Environment Agency. That adds up to a significant pattern.”Lord Krebs, chair of the adaptation sub-committee of the CCC, said government cuts had affected the UK’s flood protection: “The Environment Agency has less staff. About 12,000 minor developments (such as householders paving their gardens, leading to increased risk of surface flooding) are not seen by the Environment Agency. That adds up to a significant pattern.”
The committee published its latest findings, entitled Managing Climate Risks to Wellbeing and the Economy, on Wednesday. Ministers are likely to take some weeks to respond fully to the report.The committee published its latest findings, entitled Managing Climate Risks to Wellbeing and the Economy, on Wednesday. Ministers are likely to take some weeks to respond fully to the report.
The Environment Agency is not the only branch of government to blame, according to the report. Local authorities “are a long way from doing what they need to do”, said a CCC official. By this time last year, only five had filed adequate flood risk assessment reports, as they are required to do.The Environment Agency is not the only branch of government to blame, according to the report. Local authorities “are a long way from doing what they need to do”, said a CCC official. By this time last year, only five had filed adequate flood risk assessment reports, as they are required to do.
Lord Krebs also called on the government to look at how new housing developments are managed with regard to flooding. At present, a high proportion are simply connected to existing sewerage systems without regard to whether their addition could overwhelm existing sewage networks, and whether new systems could be needed. Surface flooding because of sewers being overwhelmed is an increasing risk.Lord Krebs also called on the government to look at how new housing developments are managed with regard to flooding. At present, a high proportion are simply connected to existing sewerage systems without regard to whether their addition could overwhelm existing sewage networks, and whether new systems could be needed. Surface flooding because of sewers being overwhelmed is an increasing risk.
Britain’s homes are not only more likely to fall prey to flooding, but may also contribute to the deaths of thousands more – mostly elderly – people each year, as average temperatures continue to rise in summer, according to forecasts. In the worst year of heatwaves in recent years, the 2003 summer, there were about 2,000 more deaths that would have been expected in normal temperatures. This number would be likely to rise to about 7,000 as the weather warms, the committee said.Britain’s homes are not only more likely to fall prey to flooding, but may also contribute to the deaths of thousands more – mostly elderly – people each year, as average temperatures continue to rise in summer, according to forecasts. In the worst year of heatwaves in recent years, the 2003 summer, there were about 2,000 more deaths that would have been expected in normal temperatures. This number would be likely to rise to about 7,000 as the weather warms, the committee said.
Lord Krebs said that the UK’s homes were not well-adapted to such warm temperatures, which would cause problems particularly for the elderly, the very young and those otherwise vulnerable. But he advised that even very simple measures – shutting the curtains during the day, for instance, to keep the light out, or painting houses in light colours – could help to reduce the temperatures people experience at home.Lord Krebs said that the UK’s homes were not well-adapted to such warm temperatures, which would cause problems particularly for the elderly, the very young and those otherwise vulnerable. But he advised that even very simple measures – shutting the curtains during the day, for instance, to keep the light out, or painting houses in light colours – could help to reduce the temperatures people experience at home.
The report also found that the UK’s infrastructure providers – railways, energy generators, communications network providers, water companies and others – were often ill-prepared for the potential impacts of severe weather. Some, including energy companies, were performing but others had failed to take climate change into account in their forward planning.The report also found that the UK’s infrastructure providers – railways, energy generators, communications network providers, water companies and others – were often ill-prepared for the potential impacts of severe weather. Some, including energy companies, were performing but others had failed to take climate change into account in their forward planning.
David Balmforth, senior vice-president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said the CCC was right to highlight “the growing need for a more comprehensive approach to flood resilience”. But another key consideration should be how infrastructure companies work together, he said, warning of a “domino effect” by which damage to one network – for instance, when a flood overwhelms the roads and rail or water network in an affected area – can have a knock-on effect on other infrastructure, such as transport and energy. He warned: “This disruption results in an even greater impact on society and the economy.”David Balmforth, senior vice-president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, said the CCC was right to highlight “the growing need for a more comprehensive approach to flood resilience”. But another key consideration should be how infrastructure companies work together, he said, warning of a “domino effect” by which damage to one network – for instance, when a flood overwhelms the roads and rail or water network in an affected area – can have a knock-on effect on other infrastructure, such as transport and energy. He warned: “This disruption results in an even greater impact on society and the economy.”
He added that more would need to be spent in order to counter the likely impacts of climate change: “[The committee’s] fears around investment levels [in infrastructure and resilience] echo our own concerns. If we are to meet the pressures of climate change, capital and maintenance investment will simply need to increase. Government should commit to a long-term capital and maintenance programme for flood management, which protects funding beyond the current six-year cycle.”He added that more would need to be spent in order to counter the likely impacts of climate change: “[The committee’s] fears around investment levels [in infrastructure and resilience] echo our own concerns. If we are to meet the pressures of climate change, capital and maintenance investment will simply need to increase. Government should commit to a long-term capital and maintenance programme for flood management, which protects funding beyond the current six-year cycle.”