The London Assembly Environment Committee hears that the Environment Agency has identified 24,000 homes throughout Greater London at risk of flooding. Flood prevention plans cover 10,000 of them - subject to finding funding of about 100 million pounds over ten years - of which half might come from central government grants. However 14,000 homes would remain at significant risk (1 in 75 per year) even if the proposed schemes can be fully implemented.
At an update on the capital’s flood risk preparation, Assembly Members were reassured that measures in place, including the Thames Barrier, will continue to protect the tidal floodplain, which covers large parts of central London, for at least the next 20 years.
Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee said; “We are reassured that the combination of factors required to cause a catastrophic flood in Central London are extremely unlikely. We also welcome progress with reducing the risk of flooding from extreme rainfall. We certainly don’t wish to tempt fate but what we heard today should confirm to Londoners that the recent ‘freaky’ weather has been factored-in to flood prevention planning.”
The Assembly has investigated the capital’s flood defences in 2002 [1], 2005 [2] and 2011 [3].
The meeting can be viewed via webcast.
Notes to editors:
1. Flooding in London Report 2002
2. London under threat? Flooding risk in the Thames Gateway 2005
4. Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview. See contact details below.
5. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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