Louise
Turner - 7-Nov-2006 - Environment Agency officers
today reassured the people living near the Humber
estuary that plans are in place to tackle the
increasing risk from climate change, following
the recent Association of British Insurers report
into coastal flood risk.
Work is just being finished
on the Humber Strategy – the first in the country
to propose solutions to flooding based on the
risk to the whole estuary, instead of individual
towns or communities.
Humber Strategies Manager Philip
Winn said: "Our strategy takes account of
the very real risks from climate change and proposes
how we can best tackle this on the estuary.
"We aren’t just recommending
building walls, but a comprehensive package of
flood risk management measures, such as flood
storage, as well as plans to ensure we meet our
obligations to maintain the quantity and quality
of habitat in this internationally-important area.
"We are also working with
local authorities to ensure that planning policies
reflect the risks created when the flood plain
is built on. We are waiting for the final financial
approvals, and hope to launch the strategy in
the spring of next year (2007)."
Managing the rising tides: the
Humber Strategy deals with the risk of flooding
from the Humber Estuary. A draft version of the
document was consulted on in 2005 and the strategy
team are now finalising the recommendations for
the final version.
The strategy will provide a
detailed plan of flood risk management work needed
in the next 15 years and make recommendations
for other work up to 2100.
An informal reception for MPs
will take place at the House of Commons tomorrow
(Wednesday 8 November) to introduce them to the
aims of the strategy.
For more information about
the Humber Strategy visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/humberstrategy
To find out if you are at risk of flooding and
to register for flood warnings call 0845 988 1188
or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline
