Insurance News Archive
Flood assessments recommended
Britain needs to increase flood defences and modify the structure of housing in flood risk areas, or face the consequences.
That is according to risk management consultancy firm Ambiental, whose account manager Nick Bollons was speaking after an Environment Agency conference in London on November 22nd.
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord Bruce-Lockhart, addressed the conference and said that he believes the only way homes and businesses can avoid being put at risk through climate change is to give more power to local councils.
Mr Bruce-Lockhart revealed that he would like to see councils making decisions about sizing and the location of new housing.
Mr Bollons said he too would like to see local councils given more power, but feels a blend of national and local government would be most beneficial.
The account manager was speaking specifically about the Thames Gateway development, and although he has not personally dealt with the project, he said he assumed various mitigation measures would be in place.
"Generically there will be assessments for the level of flood risk and they will be designed for mitigation measures," said Mr Ballons.
"Those mitigation measures may either involve engineering based developments such as raising floor levels or increasing the levels of defences in the area."
The Thames Gateway development is expected to create 160,000 homes by 2016.
24 Nov 2006
