| 10/10/2005
- A new report by the London Assembly’s environment committee
which examines the management of flood risk in the capital
has been given a cautious initial welcome by the Environment
Agency. The report, entitled
‘London Under Threat? Flooding in the Thames Gateway’
is published on Monday 10 October.
David Wardle, head of water management
for the Environment Agency said: “The report makes a valuable
contribution to the debate on this critically important
issue and we are pleased that the London Assembly agrees
that the very real risk of flooding to which the capital
is exposed cannot be ignored.
“The disastrous impact of Hurricane
Katrina on New Orleans reminds us all that the consequences
of complacency can be tragic. But Londoners can be reassured
that their city’s flood defences are in good shape, offer
a high level of protection and will benefit from an investment
of some £300 million over the next fifteen years.”
Around 45 square miles of London is
at risk of tidal flooding, an area containing 400,000
properties and home to 1.25 million people. A network
of 2,400 defence structures reduces the risk of flooding
in the city and the Environment Agency has an ongoing
inspection, maintenance and renewals programme for all.
But the pressure that continued development
in London and the effects of climate change will have
on these defences is obvious. The Environment Agency,
through its TE2100 project, is already examining a strategic,
river basin-wide approach to deliver the required level
of protection for the 21st century.
David Wardle continued: “The report
underscores our view that there must be continued and
unremitting collaboration between all the major partners
involved to achieve a successful outcome for London now,
and for future generations.
“We will be working with the GLA on
the revision of their London Plan over the next few months.
This collaboration will provide a means through which
we can maximise the opportunities for successful flood
risk management in London.
“And as our TE2100 project progresses,
we will continue to work with planning authorities, the
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Thames Gateway London
Partnership, the GLA and Defra to ensure that our findings
are fed into the planning process at a sufficiently early
stage to influence developments.
“It is reassuring too, that through
the strategic flood risk assessments undertaken by the
Thames Gateway Partnerships for London, Kent and Essex,
a strategic approach to factoring in flood risk to development
plans is now accepted practice.” |
