What’s new > Flood news Here is our aggregation of flood risk and general flooding news from UK media sources. Except where the story is attributed to Entec, we take no responsibility for the reliability or content of these links which are all third party sources. Please send any relevant news releases or other submissions for this section to Victoria Logan by email to logav@entecuk.co.uk. |
26-Feb-10 Call to update Britain’s land use - systems ft.com
Britain’s antiquated land use systems must be updated to cope with the challenges of the 21st century, from climate change to population growth, according to a government report out on Friday.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c5c9f096-220e-11df-98dd-00144feab49a.html
25-Feb-10 Environment Agency calls for flood protection products - bbc.co.uk
UK businesses should spend more effort on developing innovative devices to help protect homes from flooding, the Environment Agency's chairman says.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8535749.stm
16-Feb-10 National flood charity's call for funding - bbc.co.uk
A charity which works with the victims of flooding is continuing to appeal for funds so it can further its work.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8518121.stm
13-Feb-10 Ordeal of flood victims who are trapped in ‘uninsurable’ homes - timesonline.co.uk
Homeowners complain of huge excess charges, payout delays and bogus officials.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/insurance/article7025151.ece
11-Feb-10 Funding to cut UK flood and erosion risks - web4water.com
More than £745m of national and European funding will be made available for fighting flooding and cutting coastal erosion.
09-Feb-10 Severn Barrage could cause floods – RSPB - Telegraph.co.uk
A barrage across the Severn estuary could cause floods and damage wildlife in the same way that a similar barrier in the Netherlands has caused problems, conservationists have warned.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/7190428/Severn-Barrage-could-cause-floods---RSPB.html
08-Feb-10 Early flood warning phone service automatic sign-up - bbc.co.uk
Half a million homes and businesses in England and Wales at risk of flooding are to be automatically signed up to an early warning phone service.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8503491.stm
04-Feb-10 Agency’s warning service goes live - nce.co.uk
The Environment Agency has launched a new flood warning service for infrastructure owners and operators.
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/water/agencys-warning-service-goes-live/5213748.article
04-Feb-10 £6m windfall to help tackle flood dangers - dailypost.co.uk
OVER £6million of European funding has been awarded to tackle flooding and bolster coastal defences in Wales.
02-Feb-10 Councils reminded on home flood protection - localgov.co.uk
Local authorities have been urged to ensure property-level flood protection is properly tested.
http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=86084
02-Feb-10 Living room test for flood products - nce.co.uk
Companies working on flood-protection technologies will have their products tested in a mock living room housed inside a huge water tank, the Environment Agency has said.
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/water/living-room-test-for-flood-products/5213706.article
29-Jan-10 Cost of UK flood protection doubles to £1bn a year - guardian.co.uk
Latest data from the Environment Agency shows that more than half a million UK homes are at 'significant' risk of flooding.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/29/cost-of-uk-flood-protection
29-Jan-10 Cumbria floods costs reached £200 million accord to ABI - news-insurance.com
The cost of damage caused by last November’s devastating flooding in Cumbria has now topped £200 million, according to figures released today by the ABI.
http://www.news-insurances.com/cumbria-floods-costs-reached-200-million-accord-to-abi/016714064
29-Jan-10 Environment Agency reveals new flood warning system for critical infrastructure - nce.co.uk
The Environment Agency today unveiled its new flood warning service for infrastructure owners and operators.
28-Jan-10 Damage limitation: Lessons from Cumbria - nce.co.uk
Last November’s devastating floods in Cumbria once again raised the question of whether extreme events can - or should - be engineered against. Mark Hansford examines the options.
http://www.nce.co.uk/home/cumbria-floods/damage-limitation-lessons-from-cumbria/5213480.article
18-Jan-10 England floods in 2007 'cost the economy £3.2bn' - bbc.co.uk
Flooding in parts of England in the summer of 2007 cost the economy £3.2bn, the Environment Agency has said.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8464717.stm
15-Jan-10 Radical sea defence rethink urged - bbc.co.uk
Rising sea levels and more storms could mean that parts of at-risk cities will need to be surrendered to protect homes and businesses, a report warns.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8460089.stm
15-Jan-10 Oilrigs should be used for homes in areas at risk of flooding - timesonline.co.uk
Decommissioned North Sea oil platforms should be towed to the waterfronts of coastal cities at risk of flooding and converted into homes, shops and universities protected from rising sea levels, a study recommends.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6988517.ece
28-Dec-09 'Back to nature' cuts flood risks - bbc.co.uk
Reconnecting flood-plains to rivers will help reduce the risk of future flooding, suggest US scientists.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8406351.stm
16-Dec-09 Government publishes second pitt progress report - Wired-gov.net
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has yesterday published the latest report on the progress the Government has made in implementing the recommendations of the Pitt Review on the 2007 floods.
http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-7YSG4H
30-Nov-09 Floods: 500,000 homes could become unsellable - Telegraph.co.uk
Flood risks mean 485,000 homes in England are potentially uninsurable and as a result unmortgageable, according to official figures.
26-Nov-09 New flood laws unveiled after record rainfall - BBC Scotland
New laws to deal with Scottish flooding have been announced by Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8380289.stm
26-Nov-09 The flooding disaster exposes our fragile economic future - Guardian.co.uk
The flooding in Cumbria will cost millions to fix, but that's nothing compared with the billions needed to safeguard the national economy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/nov/26/floods-fragil-economic-future
26-Nov-09 Restoring calm to Wordsworth’s waters - Times Online
We owe it to the people of Cumbria, and others at risk of flooding, to plan intelligent defences.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6932394.ece
26-Nov-09 Concerns over Flood & Water Management Bill - Land Gazette
The NFU has raised a number of concerns with the Government's Flood & Water Management Bill which has now been presented to Parliament.
http://www.landgazette.co.uk/index.php/land-politics/746-concerns-over-flood-a-water-management-bill
22-Nov-09 As the water rises, it's time to check your cover - Independent.co.uk
Floods can wreck your home, car and finances but there are ways to protect yourself, says Chiara Cavaglieri.
20-Nov-09 New Flood Powers For Councils Would Create A Funding Blackhole Says LGA - eGov Monitor
Councils across England and Wales say that new flooding laws, that will give them responsibility for managing flood risk in their area, are good news but have warned that the new powers will create a funding black hole.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/31066
20-Nov-09 Land Registry lets house-hunters discover flood risk of every property in England and Wales - Telegraph.co.uk
House-hunters can now use the internet to find out how likely it is that their prospective new home will flood.
19-Nov-09 Developers urge Government to act now on flooding - propertytalklive.co.uk
The trade body representing major property developers has welcomed the floods bill in the Queen’s Speech.
http://propertytalklive.co.uk/organisations/2506-developers-urge-government-to-act-now-on-flooding
18-Nov-09 New code of practice launched for the recovery of flood damaged buildings - journalism.co.uk
Building preservation trade body The Property Care Association (PCA) has developed a new code of practice for flood damaged buildings.
http://www.journalism.co.uk/66/articles/536550.php
18-Nov-09 The flood and water management bill - guardian.co.uk
The bill is designed to improve the UK's resilience to future flooding threats that are likely to be intensified by climate change.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/18/flooding-bill-queens-speech
17-Nov-09 Flood warning research announced - bbc.co.uk
Research into protecting communities with better flood warnings has been announced by the Scottish government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8364022.stm
16-Nov-09 Flood damage 'costs more than fire or burglary' - telegraph.co.uk
The cost of a household being flooded is far higher than the losses incurred by burglary or fire, the Environment Agency warned today.
10-Nov-09 Environment Agency calls for flood defences to protect 900,000 properties. - guardian.co.uk
The number of homes and businesses at highest risk could rise by 60% by 2035, warns the agency in its five-year strategy.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/nov/10/environment-agency-flood-defences
08-Nov-09 Flood victims suffer as insurance costs rise - guardian.co.uk
The steep rise in insurance costs since 2007 has left homeowners unable to get cover or move house
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/nov/08/flood-victims-insurance-costs-rise
04-Nov-09 Insurance sector can't cope with climate change: trade group - reuters
The general insurance industry may not be able to cope with the increased frequency and severity of floods and typhoons brought about by climate change, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said on Wednesday.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-BusinessofGreen/idUSTRE5A34BC20091104
30-Oct-09 Campaign to combat flooding risk - bbc.co.uk
A national campaign to raise awareness about the risk of flooding to more than 100,000 homes and businesses in Scotland has been launched.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/8333436.stm
29-Oct-09 Warning on Wales’ flood preparations - walesonline.co.uk
A “COMPLACENT” attitude to protecting Wales’ coastal defences has left them neglected at a time when the danger of flooding is expected to rise, a major report from the Wales Audit Office warns.
28-Oct-09 Hilary Benn to tell architects to 'adapt' for climate change - The Telegraph
Hilary Benn, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, will tell architects they need to concentrate on adapting buildings to cope with climate change.
28-Oct-09 Researchers develop faster means of flood risk assessment - The Edinburgh Journal
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a much faster method of assessing water bodies for flood risk in time to comply with new European legislation.
14-Oct-09 Environment Agency warns of climate change flood risk - The Guardian
"The head of the Environment Agency warned today of the growing flood risk for towns and cities as a result of climate change. "
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/14/environment-agency-flood-risk
13-Oct-09 UK looks to tropics for flood defence help - Reuters UK
British cities may need to build extreme flood defence measures more commonly found in tropical countries if they are to cope with the growing risk of flash floods caused by climate change.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE59C2TP20091013?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
05-Oct-09 Climate change 'threatens UK capital's wildlife with floods and drought' - The Guardian
Global warming will threaten London's wildlife habitats by increasing the risk of flooding in the winter and drought in the summer, according to a report published today.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/05/london-climate-change-wildlife
23-Sep-09 MPs call for rethink over draft flooding bill - Local Government Chronicle
An influential committee of MPs has called for the government to put its draft flood and water management bill on hold amid criticism that it is “poorly drafted” and “over-centralising”.
23-Sep-09 Coastal Defence Research - The Engineer Online
Plymouth University scientists are to investigate how environmentally friendly defence technologies can be used to protect the UK's coastline.
http://www.theengineer.co.uk/Articles/313266/Coastal+defence+research.htm
September 09 Do not dilute floods and water bill urges floods charity - National Flood Forum
Mary Dhonau, Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum says We are pleased that flooding is again high on peoples agenda following the comments of the EFRA committee and we welcome any debate on the DRAFT Floods and Water Management Bill.
http://www.floodforum.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&catid=1&Itemid=44
17-Sep-09 Fears over Floods Bill's Suds loophole - New Civil Engineer
Engineers warned this week that new national standards for sustainable drainage systems would be used by developers to avoid installing them in projects.
09-Sept-09 Modelling water from clouds to coast - Planet Earth Online
New research could help scientists provide better warnings ahead of natural disasters like coastal flooding. Qingping Zou and Dominic Reeve explain.
http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/features/story.aspx?id=524
06-Sep-09 ‘April showers’ submerged by wet British summers - Property Talk Live
The phrase ‘April Showers’ has become synonymous with the wet weather during the month, but according to Landmark Information Group, the UK’s leading provider of flood data, July and August Showers could prove to be more of a flood threat in years to come.
http://propertytalklive.co.uk/environment/2047-april-showers-submerged-by-wet-british-summers
04-Sept-09 Experts warn of increased flooding for Scotland - Herald Scotland
Scotland must brace itself for a future of warm, wet summers and widespread flooding as global climate change picks up pace, environmental planners have warned.
01-Sept-09 Implications of the flood and water management bill - Contract Journal
Few people could not recall the images of devastation caused by the UK floods in 2007. So what plans are in the pipeline to reduce the risk of a repetition? asks John Williams, senior associate at Pinsent Masons.
17-Aug-09 London 'won't be flood-proof despite £140m on defences' - London Evening Standard
London will never be "flood-proof" despite a taxpayer investment of £140million to improve river defences, officials said today.
16-Aug-09 £16 million for local community flood protection - Defra
Local communities across England will benefit from £16 million funding to help them tackle surface water flooding, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2009/090818a.htm
14-Aug-09 Viewpoint: Beyond the draft flood Bill - New Civil Engineer
The management of flood risk in England and Wales is undergoing a transition largely in response to the inquiry by Sir Michael Pitt following the 2007 floods. Despite many previous reports and inquiries it was only when some 300,000 people were disconnected from mains water supply that the government finally acted.
11-Aug-09 DCLG launches consultation on flood risk statement - planningresource.co.uk
Consultation on how "functional floodplains" are identified and critical infrastructure was launched by the DCLG this afternoon.
06-Aug-09 Flooding: Spending for a rainy day - NCE
New climate change predictions have allowed the Environment Agency to determine with greater certainty than ever before the investment that is needed to protect England from flooding. Head of flood defence Robert Runcie tells Mark Hansford what needs to happen.
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/water/flooding-spending-for-a-rainy-day/5206306.article
31-Jul-09 Anger over draft Flood Management Bill - Edie.net
Proposed changes to the way local authorities manage floods are causing anger among the people expected to deliver the services.
30-Jul-09 New category for Waterways Renaissance Awards - Waterscape.com
The 2010 Waterways Renaissance Awards has opened for entry with an announcement from the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) and The Waterways Trust of a new category for the 2010 Awards.
28-Jul-09 Funding black hole caused by new flooding laws, warn councils - Local Government Association
Councils across England and Wales have warned of a funding black hole being created by new flooding laws which will give them responsibility for managing flood risk in their area.
http://new.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=2640005
28-Jul-09 CIWEM welcomes flood and water bill - Environmental-expert.com
CIWEM endorses the proposed increase in responsibility for local authorities as the importance of local expertise in the context of effective flood risk management cannot be underestimated. However, CIWEM is concerned that with this increase comes sufficient funding and capacity building to support local delivery and decision-making.
http://www.environmental-expert.com/resultEachPressRelease.aspx?cid=35120&codi=59149&level=0
27-Jul-09 Action rather than words needed from Flood and Water Management Bill - NFU Online
The Government's draft Flood and Water Management Bill must ensure there is action rather than endless consultation regarding the provision of adequate flood and coastal defences and increased river maintenance, the NFU said today.
http://www.nfuonline.com/x41126.xml
10-Jul-09 Flood risk for one in six homes - bbc.co.uk
One in six properties in Wales is at risk of flooding, according to the most detailed assessment yet drawn up by Environment Agency Wales.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8143232.stm
25-Jun-09 Government claims 'significant progress' on flood prevention - Edie.net
The UK the Government has confidentially announced it's making 'significant progress' on improving defences.
25-Jun-09 First round flood protection grants announced - easier.com
The first round of new grants to help people protect their homes against flooding were announced today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.The £5 million Flood Protection Grant Scheme was announced as part of the Government's response to Sir Michael Pitt's review of the 2007 floods.
http://www.easier.com/view/UK_Property_News/General/article-256824.html
23-Jun-09 Forestry land being considered for flood control - Walesonline
Once the fashion was to drain boggy land and clear the waterways; now the opposite apporach is being applied to lessen the risk to more than 400,000 homes and businesses across Wales considered liable to flood.
22-Jun-09 Agency calls for flood budget to double - Inside Housing
Government spending on flood defences needs to double to more than £1 billion a year by 2035, the Environment Agency has warned.
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/story.aspx?storycode=6505177
19-Jun-09 The forecast for 2080 is… flooding and heatwaves - The Herald
Floods, storms, crippling heatwaves and rising sea levels will come with warmer wetter winters and hotter drier summers, a new study designed to help the country prepare for the future revealed yesterday.
19-Jun-09 Ask the Expert Analysis: No doubts now remain that things are hotting up - Scotsman
YOU heard it here first. There is no climate change debate. Not any longer. It's old hat, yesterday's news.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Analysis-No-doubts-now-remain.5381714.jp
19-Jun-09 Armageddon looms. So why not build some flood defences? Times Online
Our wealthiest city is sinking into the estuary
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article6531216.ece
19-Jun-09 Defra produces flood and coastal risk management guidance - NCE
Defra today published its Policy Statement on Appraisal of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, containing guidance for operating authorities and others involved in managing flood and coastal erosion risk.
18-Jun-09 Q&A: UK climate impacts report - Guardian
The UK government and the Met Office have produced a set of projections of how climate change will affect Britain over the next century. David Adam explains how the forecast calculations have been made
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/18/uk-climate-impacts-report-faq
18-Jun-09 800,000 homes face flood risk, warns climate change report - Telegraph
Twice as many British homes will be at risk of flooding than previously thought because of the impact of climate change on sea levels, according to a report by government-appointed experts.
31-May-09 Rising seas could spell doom for Orkney islands - Scotsman
ITS beaches are as stunning as any in the Maldives – even if its weather isn't. Yet if the Orkney island of Sanday is very far from the Indian Ocean idyll, it looks set to share the same fate, as sea levels rise and storms become fiercer and more frequent.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Rising-seas-could-spell-doom.5319340.jp
13-May-09 Flood risk management - www.scotland.gov.uk
Plans to improve protection for homes and communities blighted by the threat of flooding have been passed by the Scottish Parliament.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/05/14082202
07-May-09 UK braced for surge in flood prevention as dual purpose Thames Barrier mooted - New Civil Engineer
Plans for a new Thames Barrier could be integrated into the Highways Agency plans for a new Dartford Crossing, the Environment Agency said this week
06-May-09 CIWEM looks at flooding - Edie.net
The annual conference of the Chartered Institution of Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM) brought together dozens of speakers to look at issues from flood risk management to climate change.
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=16395
29-Apr-09 Draft Floods and Water Bill opens door for water grid - New Civil Engineer
Measures included in the draft Flood and Water Management Bill will boost the case for a national water grid for the UK, it was claimed this week.
http://www.nce.co.uk/draft-floods-and-water-bill-opens-door-for-water-grid/5201257.article
28-Apr-09 Floods Bill SUDS plans criticised for "creating confusion" - New Civil Engineer
Environment secretary Hilary Benn was this week accused of “creating confusion” in his draft floods & water bill by focusing too much on above ground, soft sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS).
22-Apr-09 Leadership role for councils in managing flood risk - LocalGov
Councils will take a leadership role for local flood risk management, under proposals announced today in the draft Flood and Water Management Bill.
http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=77708
21-Apr-09 Flood and Water Management Bill published for public consultation - NCE
The draft Flood and Water Management Bill, designed to improve how the UK prepares for and responds to flood emergencies and better protect water supplies during drought, has been published for public consultation by environment secretary Hilary Benn.
21-Apr-09 Delays over new flooding rules - Telegraph
The charges came after another delay in moves to overhaul the laws on emergency planning and give local councils new legal powers over flood defences and preparation work.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/5196351/Delays-over-new-flooding-rules.html
20-Apr-09 Councils do not have enough money to prevent flooding, warns survey - Telegraph
More than half of the councils in England do not have enough funding to protect homes against flooding, town halls have admitted.
07-Apr-09 Flood protection for critical infrastructure under the spotlight - Edie.net
The summer floods of 2007 have acted as a catalyst for a change in the way we deal with extreme weather and now researchers are working with utilities to see how we can build resilience into the facilities that provide us with critical services.
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=16249
18-Mar-09 Beavers 'could thrive in England' - BBC
Beavers could be successfully reintroduced in many parts of England, a conservation body has argued.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7949733.stm
18-Mar-09 Thames Estuary expansion could risk billions in flood damage - BusinessGreen
New study warns unchecked development to east of London would lead to significant flood risks even before rising sea levels are accounted for
http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2238685/thames-estuary-expansion-risk
07-Mar-09 Torrential rain and flooding to get worse in Britain - Telegraph
Torrential rain and flash flooding is to grow more severe across Britain by the end of the century, according to new research.
02-Mar-09 River "blue belt" to protect Derby residents from floods - Edie.net
Experts have put forward radical plans for a "blue belt" to protect Derby residents from future floods.
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=16082
20-Feb-09 Handbook says buckle up for flood-risk future - bdonline
Architects must radically rethink the way they design communities to “embrace” the inevitable flooding caused by climate change, experts warned this week.
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=426&storycode=3134320&c=2
18-Feb-09 Waterway may bypass flood problem - BBC
Plans to build a £100m waterway round Oxford to help prevent flooding are to go on show to the public.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7895938.stm
27-Jan-09 Building a sustainable future - ABI publishes guidance on insurance for new developments - ABI
The ABI (Association of British Insurers) publishes guidance today to help developers ensure their properties are as flood-proof as possible and insurable. The guidance also helps buyers make the right choice
http://www.abi.org.uk/Newsreleases/viewNewsRelease.asp?nrid=17224
22-Jan-09 Flood bill needs more work to meet sustainability goals - RSPB
Key aspects of the Flood Risk Management Bill, being debated in the Scottish Parliament today, need strengthening to ensure a truly sustainable approach to flooding.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?id=tcm:9-208474
16-Jan-09 Scotland to fall behind on flood risk management? - continuitycentral
The effective implementation of the Scottish government’s new plans to manage flood risk is under threat due to a lack of skilled staff, according to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee.
http://continuitycentral.com/news04364.html
15-Jan-09 Four flood schemes granted funds - BBC
More than £2.6m of funding will be given to four flood defence schemes across Worcestershire.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/7830931.stm
12-Jan-09 Floods to become commonplace by 2080 - Innovations Report
Flooding on a scale that devastated parts of England last year is set to become a common event across the UK in the next 75 years, new research has shown.
http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/studies/floods_commonplace_2080_125265.html
12-Jan-09 Flood help grant of £9.7m offered - BBC
Thousands of people in the North East are to receive a share of £9.7m to protect their homes against flooding.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7823456.stmc
06-Jan-09 Will flooding recommendations feed into the regulations? - TRADA
Will flooding recommendations feed into the regulations?
05-Jan-09 EA water chief on flood funding - Edie.net
David King, the Environment Agency's director of water management, talks to edie about flood funding
http://live.edie.net/_EA-water-chief-on-flood-funding/VIDEO/452508/25995.html?st=&tid=
05-Jan-09 UK government responds to Pitt Review - continuitycentral
defra, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has published a new document entitled ‘The Government’s Response to Sir Michael Pitt’s Review of the Summer 2007 Floods’
http://www.continuitycentral.com/news04325.html
17-Dec-08 New alert centre to improve response to flooding - Defra
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has today announced a new warning centre to help protect people and businesses from flooding.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/081217a.htm
12-Dec-08 Flood defence preparations ‘inadequate’ - Public Finance
Councils lack the funding and expertise to make adequate preparations against the kinds of floods that devastated some areas in 2007, a survey of local authorities in England shows.
http://www.cipfa.org.uk/publicfinance/news_details.cfm?News_id=59415
12-Dec-08 Two million homes at risk of flooding - Telegraph
More than two million homes are at risk of flooding, a rise of a fifth in five years, figures showed.
www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/3710173/Two-million-homes-at-risk-of-flooding.html
11-Dec-08 £330m costs of flood risk plan - thisishullandeastriding.co.uk
Controversial plans to deal with the threat of flooding around the Humber estuary would leave land and property worth £330m unprotected, it has been claimed.
11-Dec-08 Local authorities set to take charge of flood defences - NCE
Local authorities are set to be put in charge of flood defences in a shake-up of government policy to be announced next week, NCE has learnt.
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/2008/12/local_authorities_set_to_take_charge_of_flood_defences.html
26-Nov-08 Flood-proof homes unveiled at Thames Gateway Forum - Building
Flood-proof homes unveiled at Thames Gateway Forum
http://www.building.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3128571&c=1
25-Nov-08 Gov & EA must team up on flood prevention - Edie.net
Government and the Environment Agency will have to work together to solve the problems posed by flooding and coastal erosion - and the likelihood that they will get worse as a result of climate change.
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=15665
25-Nov-08 Britons ‘in denial’ about flooding - Financial Times
Britons put themselves at greater risk of flooding by their “state of denial” about the problem, the government’s adviser on the subject warned on Monday.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a7739078-ba7e-11dd-aecd-0000779fd18c.html
17-Nov-08 Entec to help upgrade SEPA flood warning systems - entecuk.com
Entec has been appointed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to provide support for upgrading their flood warning systems. This is part of a larger project funded by the Scottish Government to provide an active dissemination service of flood warnings for Scotland by March 2011.
http://www.entecuk.com/news02_160_f.html
10-Nov-08 Tackling the threat of flooding - Scottish Government
A new forum to support individuals to protect themselves against flooding have been launched in Scotland.
http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/21950
07-Nov-08 Scientists reveal plan to stop floods - Malton Mercury
Much of the flood risk faced by Pickering and Sinnington could be reduced by a system of upstream storage costing as little as £600,000 to construct.
http://www.maltonmercury.co.uk/news/Scientists-reveal-plan-to-stop.4659300.jp
04-Nov-08 46,000 Ulster homes built on flood plains - Belfast Telegraph
Thousands of homes are at risk of damage if the torrential rains seen in August return. New flood maps launched by Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew and Environment Minister Sammy Wilson today reveal that 46,000 properties have been built on river and coastal flood plains.
14-Oct-08 Campaigners warn of Severn Barrage "flood risk" - NewEnergyFocus
Representatives of Natural England and the Bristol Port Company have expressed fears that the proposed Severn Barrage tidal power scheme could lead to severe risk of flooding in the south Wales, Tewkesbury and Gloucester areas.
13-Oct-08 Urgent action needed to protect water resources - National Trust
Urgent action is essential if we are to cope with a future where more frequent flooding and drought are likely to be the norm, according to a report by the National Trust.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-news/w-latest_news/w-news-water_report.htm
13-Oct-08 Britain's nuclear weapons factory 'nearly overwhelmed' by flood - The Telegraph
Alarm systems at Britain's nuclear weapons factory were put out of action for 10 days by last summer's floods, leaving tens of thousands of people without warning in the event of a nuclear accident.
08-Oct-08 Tapping into ways of reducing flood risk - Walesonline
Welsh Water has launched an initiative to promote natural drainage to help the sewerage network cope better with climate change.
01-Oct-08 Defra announces £300,000 fund for surface water management pilots - 24dash.com
Environment Minister Phil Woolas today announced £300,000 for pilot schemes which will develop new guidance on surface water management plans to cope with anticipated extreme rainfall in the future.
30-Sep-08 New bill to tackle Scottish flooding risk - BBC
The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Bill is launched to improve flooding protection for homes and communities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7644592.stm
25-Sep-08 It looks like it might be safe to build all those houses in Thames Estuary after all - SourceUK.net
Critical research findings that will help plan future flood risk in the Thames Estuary are revealed as part of the Environment Agency's Thames Estuary 2100 Project - a project that considers an adaptive approach for planning for future flood risk in the Estuary
24-Sep-08 Sea levels to rise dramatically - BBC
Sea levels in parts of Scotland will have risen by about 30cm by the 2080s, a Dundee University report suggests
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7632210.stm
24-Sep-08 Draft flood guidelines published - Edie.net
Building developments on floodplains could come to an end if draft planning guidelines published today are approved
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=15359&channel=0&title=Draft+flood+guidelines+published
24-Sep-08 The Environment Agency launches flood awareness campaign - Marketing Week
The Environment Agency is launching a campaign to warn people who live in northern towns and cities, such as Manchester and Blackpool, about the dangers of flooding.
http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=62565&d=254&h=260&f=3
23-Sep-08 More money needed for flood defences, admits Benn - New Civil Engineer
Environment secretary Hillary Benn yesterday admitted the Government needed to spend more on flood defences, but added that it was inevitable that some properties in flood prone and coastal areas would have to be abandoned.
http://www.nce.co.uk/news/2008/09/more_money_needed_for_flood_defences_admits_benn.html
23-Sep-08 Research sheds light on impacts of flood on fish - Environment Agency
Rivers disconnected from their floodplains could be having serious consequences for fish and other river life according to a new Environment Agency report.
16-Sep-08 Social impact of floods 'should be planned for' - Edie.net
Major flooding does not only destroy homes and vital infrastructure - it has a devastating effect on the physical and mental health of those caught up the catastrophe.
15-Sep-08 Eager to tackle the flood threat - Evening Chronicle
Beavers could be re-introduced to parts of the UK to reduce flood risk according to a conservation officer for Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
10-Sept-08 Fears for coast from new flood warning - Eastern Daily Press
Sea levels could rise more than twice as fast than currently predicted, putting large areas of East Anglia at serious risk from catastrophic flooding, new research suggests.
10-Sept-08 Britain's cities face flood catastrophe as sea levels rise - The Scotsman
London, Glasgow and other major cities around Britain are at grave risk from catastrophic flooding because flood defence planners have failed to take into account the latest evidence on rising sea levels.
http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Britain39s-cities-face-flood-catastrophe.4474819.jp
08-Sept-08 Flood damage cost 'to hit tens of millions' - The Independent
The cost of repairing the damage done by the weekend floods is likely to be tens of millions, insurers said today.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/flood-damage-cost-to-hit-tens-of-millions-922908.html
08-Sept-08 8 killed as weekend of rain leads to floods across Britain - The Times
Overview of the severe impact of flooding across England and Wales in recent days.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article4699184.ece
08-Sept-08 Bad building, not heavy rain, made these houses flood - The Times
If we persist in covering land with concrete and tarmac, we must expect more devastated homes, says Ross Clark.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4698357.ece
08-Sept-08 RNLI to double flood rescue lifeboats - The Guardian
Charity predicts more inland operations as deluges become more frequent but says coastal rescues remain core focus.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/08/flooding.voluntarysector
04-Sept-08 Flood concern for homes - Port Talbot Guardian
Concerns have been raised over a major housing development after a landslide opposite the site brought chaos to the area.
02-Sept-08 Buoys to help predict flooding - edie.net
Wave buoys have been deployed off Scotland's east coast to help improve flood forecasting.
http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=15237&channel=4&title=Buoys+to+help+predict+flooding
26-Aug-08 Prime farm land sacrificed to protect homes, says lawyer - Birmingham Post
A West Midland agricultural lawyer welcomes a report by the Institution of Civil Engineers that accused the Government, public agencies and councils of falsely raising the expectations of homeowners by suggesting that all houses can be saved from freak weather.
25-Aug-08 CCTV technology monitors potential blockages in river drains - Infrastructure Security Portal
Environment Agency pilots solar-powered CCTV cameras to monitor potential blockages in river drains to protect communities from flooding.
http://www.infrastructuresecurityportal.com/infrastructuresecurity_news.asp?articleid=261879
21-Aug-08 NI Residents not told of flood risk - BBC
Hundreds of people given planning permission for homes may not have been told there was a flood risk.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7575465.stm
19-Aug-2008 Flooding subsides, now a political storm brews - Belfast Telegraph
News from Northern Ireland on an emergency meeting between Roads Service, Rivers Agency, Northern Ireland Water and members of the Regional Development Committee to assess the impact of the recent torrential downpour as well as the efficiency of each agency's response.
17-Aug-08 £20m bill looms for flood damage - Scotland on Sunday
Scotland is facing a bill of more than £20m to repair the damage caused by a summer of heavy flooding, experts have warned.
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/20m-bill-looms-for-flood.4398951.jp
17-Aug-08 Floods bring Ireland to a standstill - Sunday Times
Floods bring Ireland to standstill - vast sections of the country were under water after weathermen report that a month’s rain fell in one day.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article4548126.ece
14-Aug-08 Rising tide of flooding leaves Edinburgh homes at risk - Edinburgh Evening News
Article outlining the risk of new flooding events in Edinburgh, with two flood alerts in mid-August.
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Rising-tide-of-flooding-chaos.4389913.jp
12-Aug-08 UK on flood alert amid torrential rain - The Times
Parts of the UK were braced for flooding today as torrential rain soaked much of the country, evoking memories of last summer’s deluges which saw hundreds of thousands of people stranded.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article4514078.ece
11-Aug-08 Flood report will help disaster response - Worcester News
A study into last summer's disastrous flooding will act as a blueprint for how authorities and residents deal with other potential major disasters in the future.
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/3581808.Flood_report_will_help_disaster_response/
11-Aug-08 Investigating Economic Benefits of Flood Resistance and Resilience - Entec
Entec, in partnership with Greenstreet Berman, has investigated the economic benefits of using flood resilience (use of materials resilient to flooding) and resistance (materials designed to keep water out) measures for Defra. The aim of the study was to provide analytical information for the wider Making Space for Water projects, which encourages and incentivises the uptake of flood resistance and resilience measures by households and businesses.
http://www.entecuk.com/news02_149_fs.html
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09-Aug-08 Flood risk rises as earth gets warmer - Cambridge News Online
Report into the Environment Agency's plans for flood protection in the Anglian region.
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/cn_news_home/DisplayArticle.asp?id=338273
08-Aug-08 Intense rainfall due to global warming could raise flood risk - The Guardian
Climate scientists have issued a fresh warning over the future risk of flooding after research showed heavy rainstorms are likely to become even more intense than predicted.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/08/climatechange.flooding
07-Aug-08 Flood risk game - Playgen and Norwich Union
A decision-making flood simulation game is launched by PlayGen and Norwich Union to raise awareness of the issues resting on flood policy in the UK.
http://www.floodsim.com/
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05-Aug-08 Flood risk hikes home insurance premiums - OnlyFinance.com
Flood risk in some parts of the UK is affecting the home insurance premiums paid by Britons in all parts of the country.
01-Aug-08 National Flood Forum newsletter Aug 08 - National Flood Forum
Newsletter with letter from Hilary Benn, article by Michael Pitt, messages from Flood recovery minister, Environment Agency article, ABI with numerous case studies.
http://www.floodforum.org.uk/newsletters/NFF_Newsletter_Aug_2008_EmailVersion.pdf
01-Aug-08 Environment Agency's Your Environment Issue 20 looks at the Pitt Review - Environment Agency
A summary of the Pitt Review's findings in the latest issue of the Environment Agency's Your Environment newsletter (page 4).
http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0708BOHY-e-e.pdf?lang=_
30-Jul-08 Support for flood risk households - Defra
Defra sets out plans to contribute at least £5 million to a scheme to support households in England which face a particularly high risk of flooding but which are not protected by traditional community level defences.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/latest/2008/flood-0730.htm
29-Jul-08 Environment Agency pilot project to cut flood risk - Newcastle Evening Chronicle
The Environment Agency is working with Newcastle University to monitor the results of land management techniques upstream of Belford.
29-Jul-08 Afon Adda Flood Scheme - BBC
Article from the BBC on the unveiling of the Afon Adda flood scheme.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7529803.stm
25-Jul-08 Climate change increases the risk of extreme flood events on Trent - This Is Nottingham
The newly-published Greater Nottingham Strategic Flood Risk Assessment makes it clear that more defences could be needed as climate change makes extreme weather more common. This article outlines design solution options.
21-Jul-08 Better guidance needed to protect infrastructure against flooding - CIRIA
Construction industry trade body CIRIA highlights its support for the Pitt Review and outlines its flood resilience and resistance projects.
http://www.ciria.org.uk/news_210708.htm
20-Jul-08 £720m more needed to prevent repetition of last summer's floods - AXA Insurance
An additional investment of £720 million is needed to prevent a repetition of the devastation caused by last summer's floods, an insurance firm has warned. AXA Insurance said the Government must commit £720 million to improve surface drainage in the 45 towns and cities affected by last year's floods.
http://www.axa.co.uk/media/pressreleases/2008/pr20080720_1000.html
14-July-08 Wales to spend £300m on flood defences - Western Mail
Wales is set to spend more than £300m on flood defences over the next eight years leaving the country better prepared than England for the effects of climate change, the head of a leading protection body said today.
11-Jul-08 Government makes commitments on flood risk management - Defra
The Government has agreed as part of the joint statement on flooding and insurance for England that they will improve upon flood risk assessments, prepare a response to the Pitt report and publish an evaluation of the planning policy framework for flood risk.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/policy/insurance/govtcommitments.htm
01-Jul-08 Joint Defra/EA Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management - R&D newsletter Defra
14th edition of the Joint Defra/EA Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management R&D programme (FCERM) newsletter.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/research/newslett/issue14.pdf
26-Jun-08 Scotland getting it right on managing flood risk - ABI
Scotland is developing the right strategy for managing the rising flood threat the ABI said today.
http://www.abi.org.uk/Newsreleases/viewNewsRelease.asp?nrid=16346
25-Jun-08 Environment Agency welcomes findings of Pitt review - Environment Agency
The Environment Agency responds to Sir Michael Pitt’s final review into the 2007 summer floods as an important contribution to managing the future flood risk in England and Wales.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/2072209
25-Jun-08 UK infrastructure network far too vulnerable to floods – says ICE - Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
The infrastructure network in the UK, including power stations, water plants, and transport systems is still far too vulnerable to flooding events, according to a report by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
http://www.ice.org.uk/news_events/newsdetail_ice.asp?PressID=336&NewsType=Press
17-Jun-08 Defra Floods and water website - Defra
Defra launches Floods and Water Bill webpages and invites comments from stakeholders.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environ/fcd/floodsandwaterbill.htm
17-Jun-08 Phil Woolas announces broad outline of the proposed Floods and Water Bill - Defra
During a speech at the New Civil Engineer “The Future of UK Water Resources” Conference in London on 17th June, Environment Minister Phil Woolas announced details of the proposed Floods and Water Bill, due for consultation in Spring 2009. He also announced a new strategic overview role for the Environment Agency for all forms of flood risk management throughout the country. Local authorities will take responsibility for surface water flooding in their own communities, supported by the Agency.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080617a.htm
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