The ABI
today called for action to reduce the growing problem of surface water
flooding. Around 80,000 properties are currently at very high risk of
being flooded due to inadequate drainage and an increase in concreted
areas. Every year 6,000 homes are hit by sewage flooding. Two-thirds of
the damage from last summer’s floods was caused by surface
water flooding.
In its response to the Government’s consultation on
improving surface water management, the ABI calls on the Government to:
- Introduce a Floods Bill to give the Environment Agency
overall responsibility for managing all forms of flooding, including
surface water flooding, and to require all local authorities to produce
a local surface water management plan. This would include assessing
where improvements to drainage are needed. The Bill should also give
the Environment Agency and local authorities the power to secure
co-operation from other bodies, such as water companies.
- Allocate new money to the Environment Agency and local
authorities, in addition to what is allocated for river and coastal
flooding, to implement this new approach.
- Require a more sustainable approach to drainage for all new
developments.
Justin Jacobs, the ABI’s Head of Property, said:
“On of the key lessons from last summer’s
devastating floods is that we need to rethink how we manage excessive
rainfall. A detailed assessment of the risk posed from heavy rainfall
and where improvements are needed, a more coordinated approach and,
crucially, adequate investment is the only we can haul
Britain’s Victorian drainage systems into the modern
day.”