Reducing the impacts of urban flooding – pilot projects announced
Defra has announced fifteen new projects to look at:how to reduce the impacts of drainage flooding in towns and cities across England; and how best to adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change.
More intense and frequent rainfall is expected as a result of climate change. Flooding from surface water and urban drainage in towns and cities currently costs the national economy £270 million on average each year, according to the Government’s own research. But this could increase by up to £15 billion by the 2080s, if action is not taken.
Ian Pearson, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, announced the Integrated Urban Drainage pilot projects during a visit to Great Yarmouth, which has recently suffered surface water flooding. Mr Pearson said:
"The issue of urban drainage flooding is of growing concern to towns and cities across England. Many homes and businesses have already suffered from the devastating impacts. These 15 pilot studies will test new approaches to reduce the future impact of urban drainage flooding on people’s lives and their businesses. This will help us understand the problem of surface water flooding better in urban areas and will help us consider how arrangements can be improved in future.”
The flooding of homes and businesses in towns and cities is typically due to a range of factors, including high river levels, concentrations of overland flow following heavy rainfall, limited capacity of drainage systems and blockage of waterways and drainage channels.
Urban flooding is particularly challenging to manage – partly because several different organisations are responsible for different aspects of the problem, including water companies, the Environment Agency, local authorities and the Highways Agency. The Integrated Urban Drainage pilot projects will see the various bodies working together to develop solutions and will help Government consider the best arrangements for reducing flood risk in our towns and cities.
