**Facing flood threats? Could a £2.65bn plan ensure the safety of your assets?**
In a bid to address the growing concern of flooding, the UK government has unveiled a plan to spend £2.65 billion on flood defences over the next two years. The investment forms part of the government's "Plan for Change" strategy and aims to protect over 66,000 homes and businesses from extreme weather events.
The funding will support the construction of 1,000 new flood defence projects, including the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme in Somerset, which receives £43 million, and the Poole Bridge to Hunger Hill Flood Defences in Dorset, allocated £3.5 million. Additionally, the Beales Corner Flood Defence Project in the West Midlands and the Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme "Our City Our River" will receive £2 million and £35 million respectively.
To encourage natural permeation and mitigate flood risks amid increased urban development, several effective measures focus on integrating nature-based solutions with structural and governance strategies. These include implementing Integrated Catchment Management (ICM), incorporating nature-based solutions, strengthening urban planning and governance, community engagement and local measures, and using advanced tools for targeted interventions.
Andy Simms from MyBuilder.com advises homeowners to check the flood history of their properties and sign up for early flood warnings. Benjamin Birkhead, a design technician and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) specialist, suggests permeable paving as an effective way to manage surface water and prevent flooding. He stated that urban areas lack permeable surfaces, which is crucial in mitigating flood risk.
The Environment Agency announces 34 new natural flood management projects, while £140 million is earmarked for stalled flood defence projects ready for immediate delivery. Regional concerns vary, with 19% of homeowners in the South West expressing the most worry, followed by 16% in the East of England. According to a recent study, 11% of Brits feel anxious about the safety of their property due to rising water levels.
Experts agree that increased urban development has contributed to worsening flood risks. These measures collectively reduce impermeable surface impacts by promoting natural water permeation, improving water retention, and enhancing urban flood resilience through integrated socio-ecological approaches. This investment is expected to extend benefits to approximately 52,000 properties through new defences and another 14,500 properties through improved maintenance.
With this significant investment, the UK government is taking a proactive step towards addressing flood risks, particularly in urban areas, by combining engineered infrastructure, ecological restoration, regulatory frameworks, and community participation to manage flood risks holistically.
- To safeguard homes and businesses, the UK government plans to build 1,000 new flood defence projects, starting with £43 million for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Flood Defence Scheme in Somerset.
- The Beales Corner Flood Defence Project in the West Midlands and the Derby Flood Risk Management Scheme will receive £2 million and £35 million respectively as part of this project.
- In light of increased urban development, it's crucial for homeowners to check their property's flood history and sign up for early flood warnings, as advised by Andy Simms from MyBuilder.com.
- Benjamin Birkhead, a design technician and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) specialist, recommends using permeable paving to manage surface water and prevent flooding in urban areas.
- The Environment Agency has announced 34 new natural flood management projects, while £140 million is reserved for stalled flood defence projects ready for immediate delivery.
- Experts believe that urban development has exacerbated flood risks, and these measures aim to collectively reduce these risks by promoting natural water permeation and improving urban flood resilience.
- The government's £2.65 billion investment in flood defences is expected to extend benefits to approximately 52,000 properties through new defences and another 14,500 properties through improved maintenance.
- By combining engineered infrastructure, ecological restoration, regulatory frameworks, and community participation, the UK government is developing a holistic approach to managing flood risks, particularly in urban areas.
- The investment in flood defences is part of the UK government's broader "Plan for Change" strategy, which also includes initiatives in health-and-wellness, environmental-science, finance, investing, and real-estate, to address climate-change concerns.
