Press Release
Entec Flood Study For ABI Published

Issue date: 13 November 2006

The Association of British Insurers has published Coastal flood risk – Thinking for tomorrow, acting today, a report that assesses the threat from rising sea levels and examines the impact on the east coast and in particular on Hull, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, Southend, East London and Hastings. It is predicted that a 40cm rise in sea levels could happen as soon as 2040.

The report, produced by Entec in collaboration with Risk Management Solutions and Risk & Policy Analysts , concludes that £8 billion needs to be invested into flood defences over the next 25 to 30 years to protect the east coast from flooding. Also recommended is a long-term flood management strategy, which looks at funding needs 25–30 years ahead, and regional planning taking into account the likely impact of climate change in 50 and 100 years time.

The report concludes:

• A 40cm rise in sea levels will put an extra 130,000 properties at risk of flooding. In total 400,000 properties will be at risk, up nearly 50% on the current number. In Hull alone 19,000 properties could suffer serious flooding; 24,000 properties in Southend.
• Without improvements to existing flood defences, the cost of a major coastal flood could soar by 400% and cost as much as £16 billion.
• Essential services and lives will be at risk. 15% of fire and ambulance stations and 12% of hospitals and schools are in flood-risk areas.
• The elderly will be particularly affected as the number living on, or moving to, the coast is well above the national average.

Stephen Haddrill, the ABI’s Director General, said: “Climate change is happening now, and we need to act now to manage it. Flooding is expensive, disruptive and distressing. This report shows that Britain needs a sustained and prolonged investment in coastal flood defences. This investment needs to start now.”

Enquiries to:

Victoria Logan
Email: logav@entecuk.co.uk
Tel: 0191 272 6337
Fax: 0191 272 6592

Notes to Editors:

• Entec is one of the UK ’s largest sustainability, environmental and engineering consultancies. The technical and business skills of over 700 staff and associates are dedicated to delivering strategic and technical solutions which bring commercial benefits to our customers at home and overseas. This know-how is based on over 60 years of consulting experience in the public and private sectors. For further information, please visit our website www.entecuk.com

• The ABI is the trade association for Britain’s insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues. ABI member companies hold up to a sixth of all investments traded on the London Stock Exchange, on behalf of millions of pensioners and savers. For further information about the work of the ABI visit www.abi.org.uk .

• The report is on: www.abi.org.uk

• In the case study areas assessed:

Hull. A major storm would currently cause flooding to around 4,000 properties at a cost of £266million. A 40cm rise in sea levels would increase the number of properties affected by a major flood to 19,000 and overall costs to £1.9billion.

Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft . Nearly 1,000 properties could suffer serious flooding following a major storm. A 40cm sea level rise could increase the number of at risk properties to 17,600 and overall costs to £578million.

Southend and South Essex . A major storm is likely to cause major flooding to around 1,500 properties. A 40cm rise in sea levels is likely to increase this number to 24,000, with overall financial losses of £336million.

East London. A 40cm sea level rise would increase the number of properties affected by a major flood to 2,300

Hastings. Sea level rises will increase the risk of wave damage to seafront buildings. Nearly 400 properties could be affected by coastal erosion.

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