NEWS RELEASE
Date: 15 January 2007
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New approach to urban flooding to be tested
Fifteen new projects will consider how to reduce the impacts of urban 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 events are expected as a result of climate change. The studies, announced by Defra today, will pinpoint areas at risk, identify the causes and consider the best ways of managing urban drainage to reduce future flooding.
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.
The projects were announced during a visit by Ian Pearson, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, to Great Yarmouth, where residents have recently suffered from surface water flooding. Welcoming the launch of the £1.7 million pilots Mr Pearson said:
"Adapting to the impacts of climate change is vital if we are to manage the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. We can't ignore the consequences which is why we need to start adapting now.
"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. But climate change will make the problem of urban flooding more serious because of the increased likelihood of more intense and frequent rain storms.
"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. Some problems can be isolated to a single cause but more often it is a combination of factors which causes the worst flooding.
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.
The pilots will also provide new tools and techniques for mapping and managing surface water following heavy rainfall events and bring more clarity on responsibilities for those managing urban flood risk.
Among the projects to receive the go-ahead include:
• Thames Water will lead a project in North Brent, London where there is a significant history of flooding in the area from sewers and rivers. The partners in the project will produce a joint drainage strategy to alleviate sewer and river flooding for a wide range of potential rainfall events.
• Birmingham City Council and partners will work to gain an improved understanding of a whole range of flooding issues in the Upper Rea catchment, an area which includes the former Rover car plant in Longbridge and in which significant redevelopment is expected.
• In West Garforth, Leeds , culverted watercourses are a major cause of flooding, but responsibilities for the problem are unclear. Leeds City Council and partners will develop practical ways to overcome such problems of ownership, especially for urban culverts owned by several different organisations.
Notes to editors
1. A full list of all 15 pilot projects can be found below and further details can be found at: www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/strategy/ha2.htm
The pilots are due to complete in April 2008. Defra will then compile the evidence for a full Regulatory Impact Assessment for any proposed administrative change on arrangements for managing urban flooding and its future financing. Halcrow is providing consultancy support and technical advice for the pilot projects.
Area Name |
Lead Authority |
River Aire Strategic Studies, Bradford and Leeds |
City of Bradford Metropolitan Council |
Wealdstone Brook, North Brent, London |
Thames Water |
Camborne, Pool and Redruth, Cornwall |
Kerrier District Council with CPR Regeneration |
Forest of Marston Vale, Developments West of Bedford |
Bedfordshire and River Ivel Internal Drainage Board |
Hartlepool |
Northumbrian Water |
River Hogsmill Catchment, Surrey/ London |
Environment Agency, Thames Region |
Lewes |
Black and Veatch, on behalf of Lewes Integrated Urban Drainage Steering Group |
Lincoln City Area |
Environment Agency, Anglian Region |
Lower Irwell Valley, Salford, Manchester |
United Utilities |
Ouseburn and North Gosforth/Newcastle Great Park |
Environment Agency |
Poringland, South Norfolk |
South Norfolk Council |
Telford and Wrekin including the Ironbridge Gorge Flood Risk Area |
Borough of Telford and Wrekin* |
Torbay, Devon |
Environment Agency, South West Region |
Upper Rea Catchment including the Longbridge, Northfield and Rubery Districts of Birmingham |
Birmingham City Council |
West Garforth, Leeds |
Leeds City Council |
2. Current responsibilities for urban flooding fall between several authorities:
- Environment Agency - flood risk from main rivers and the sea
- Local Authorities and Internal Drainage Boards: ordinary watercourses and parts of the surface water drainage system.
- Highway Authorities: road drainage systems
- Water companies: sewerage systems, including some surface water drainage
- Private owners: private sewers and property-level surface drainage
3. The Government's recent Foresight study calculated that flooding in towns and cities from surface water and urban drainage currently costs the national economy £270m each year on average and could increase by up to £15 billion, unless we start to take action today. More information available from www.foresight.gov.uk/Previous_Projects/Flood_and_Coastal_Defence
4. According to the UK Climate Impacts Programme, rainfall intensity will increase in the future, perhaps by as much as 20% by the end of the century. More information available from www.ukcip.org.uk/scenarios
5. The pilot studies form part of the Government's Making Space for Water programme - a cross-Government strategy, launched in 2005, which takes a long-term and sustainable approach to flood and coastal erosion risk management. Its aim is to manage risks through a range of approaches, which reflect national and local priorities, and which combine a reduction in the threat to people and their property with the delivery of the greatest environmental, social and economic benefit.
6. The Government has also recently published Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk (PPS25) which strengthens and clarifies policy that flood risk should be taken into account at all stages of the planning process. It directs councils to avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding, including through the use of a Surface Water Management Plan for urban flooding. More information available from www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1504639
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Page published: 15 January 2007