Water

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management

Flooding Emergencies

  • If you are worried about flooding please phone the Environment Agency's Floodline number: (0845) 988 1188

Emergency response to events will be led by the police alongside the other emergency services (ambulance and fire) and in liaison with local authorities and the Environment Agency. At the national level, Defra has the lead Department role in planning for flood emergencies.

Summer 2007 Flooding in England

Sir Michael Pitt's Final Independent Report into the 2007 summer floods was published on 25 June 2008. See associated:

Background information about the 2007 floods, including details of what help the Government has made available for those affected, is available on our summer 2007 flooding page.

Our general factsheetFurther information is available on our Help page about downloading or reading Adobe Acrobat documents gives a summary overview of how flood and coastal erosion risk is managed in England.

Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk

Anyone who has suffered flooding or coastal erosion will testify to the stress, disruption and unhappiness that can be caused as well as the physical danger and loss. In recognition of this and the destructive power of rivers in flood (and the sea), Defra takes the threat very seriously and is working hard with the Environment Agency to reduce risk.

Defra's Role

Defra has overall policy responsibility for flood and coastal erosion risk in England. Defra funds most of the Environment Agency's flood management activities in England and provides grant aid on a project by project basis to the other flood and coastal defence operating authorities (local authorities and internal drainage boards) to support their investment in capital improvement projects to manage flood and coastal erosion risk. Defra does not build defences, nor direct the authorities on which specific projects to undertake. The works programme to manage risk is driven by the operating authorities. We regard this arrangement as a partnership, try to ensure that risk is managed effectively by the authorities and provide guidance to help ensure this. Traditionally, flooding in this context has meant from watercourses or the sea rather than from other sources however the 2007 floods exemplified the distress and damage that surface water flooding can cause. Defra's strategy (Making space for water) is taking a holistic approach to management of risk from all forms of flooding (river, coastal, groundwater, surface run-off and sewer) and coastal erosion, seeking to ensure the programme helps deliver sustainable development.

Managing the Risk

Defra's policy is to reduce risks to people, property and the environment from flooding and coastal erosion through the provision of defences, flood forecasting and warning systems, increased flood resilience of property, beneficial land management changes and discouragement of inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding. There is much more to be done to reduce the overall level of risk. Unfortunately large numbers of people will remain at risk from particularly severe exceptional events beyond the design standards of defences and planning for emergencies is an important part of our work with the Environment Agency and other partners. The Government invests significant sums of money each year to reduce risk.

Defra's programme includes encouragement of Shoreline Management Plans, our joint research and development programme with the Environment Agency and funding of the Environment Agency's flood risk maps, Catchment Flood Management Plans and Public Awareness Campaigns. Given the importance to the public of flood insurance, the Government works closely with the Association of British Insurers on flood risk.

The National Flood Forum, which receives some funding from Defra for certain activities, aims to provide an independent voice for those at risk.

Standards of Defence

The flood and coastal defence operating authorities have permissive powers to undertake works to manage risk - there is no statutory obligation on them to do so and thus no statutory right to levels of protection. Individuals and communities will have variable standards of defence according to geography, the operating authorities' different approach and priorities, and the varying ratio of benefits and costs from providing particular defences.

Responsibilities

Minister of State, Phil Woolas, is responsible for this policy area in England. The Welsh Assembly Government and Scottish Executive have similar responsibilities to Defra in Wales and Scotland. Other Government departments with an interest include the Department for Communities and Local Government for development planning policy and building regulations.

Page last modified: 25 June 2008
Page published: 15 July 2001

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs