Flooding danger is new blow for river dwellers

Jun 30 2009 By Adam Courtney

Spelthorne homes are in danger from flooding

Spelthorne river dwellers – still reeling from news their only policeman is being axed – have been told more homes in the borough will be at risk from flooding unless defence funding is doubled.

Figures released from the Environment Agency (EA) have revealed 7% of the borough's homes – or 3,387 – are at serious risk of flooding.

And the EA say that, unless national funding is doubled to £1bn by 2035, the number of homes at risk will rise and there will be repeats of the 2003 floods but on a greater scale.

The news has come as a double blow to residents and businesses on the river after they were recently told PC Jim Halstead, their last line of defence against crime, has fallen victim to the police budget cuts and will be taken off river duty on July 12.

In the EA's Long Term Investment Strategy for England, it warns a steady increase in investment will be vital to maintain current levels of protection against increasingly severe and frequent rainstorms due to climate change.

The funding recommendations are based on the latest climate change impact predictions, released last week.

The EA's regional director, Howard Davidson, said: “Our findings present some important choices for Government, local authorities, developers and others to consider.

“The latest UK climate change data shows the risk of flooding and coastal erosion will continue to increase in future due to rising sea levels and more frequent and heavy storms, and there are important decisions for us all to take about how to manage these risks to protect people, communities, businesses and the economy in future.

“Here in the Thames region, we have invested approximately £40million and completed more than 20 projects during the past two years, providing increased flood alleviation to over 10,000 properties.

"While continued investment in managing these risks is crucial, we cannot always prevent flooding, so communities need to take responsibility for being prepared. For example, they could do this by joining the EA’s free flood warning service.”

The EA has calculated the damage avoided through its investment proposals could save England £180bn over the next 100 years but accepts it may be necessary to look at other sources of funding alongside that of central Government.