For a Rainy Day

Key findings

The report by the Environment Committee says London is at risk of serious flood damage in the event of extreme rainfall. It warns that if London gets rainfall similar to that which caused flooding elsewhere in the UK in 2007, some streets could flood within minutes and rivers soon after.

Lives could be lost and damage to property could amount to tens of billions of pounds. It is just chance that London has so far escaped rainfall severe enough to cause widespread flooding and climate change increases the annual likelihood of severe rainstorms.

Yet there is little information currently about the risks of surface water flooding and only patchy awareness of the issue among Londoners.

The report says the Mayor has an important role, as do others, in ensuring the risk of serious flood damage in the event of extreme rainfall is tackled.

Watch a short video about the report

Recommendations

The Committee says the Mayor should:

• Ensure surface water flood risk information is publicly available, alongside information for householders of what they can do if they are in a flood risk area.
• Extend a funding scheme for green roofs to include other forms of sustainable drainage and use sustainable drainage, if possible, in GLA group property.
• Retain and show a plan to achieve his target to restore 15km of rivers in his Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.
• Support a call for water companies to be able to work directly with householders to correct misconnected drains.
• Take steps to identify and secure funding for work to reduce flood risk in London.