Thames Flood Forum agrees plans for the future

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:43:41

Three major issues were on the agenda at the latest meeting of the Thames Flood Forum in Staines:

• How summer floods highlighted the need to improve surface water drainage and community flood warnings
• Future priorities for flood protection and
• The future of the forum itself.

Summer floods highlight the need to improve surface water drainage and community flood warnings

Most of the extreme rainfall in the second half of July was concentrated in the upper reaches of the river. Floodwater coming downstream was absorbed in the middle reaches of the river with disastrous consequences for surrounding communities. If comparable rain had been widespread on the lower Thames many thousands of properties could have been flooded. Isolated heavy rain did cause surface water flooding in Maidenhead and elsewhere because drains could not cope, either because they were inadequate or because maintenance had been neglected.

The Forum will be seeking improvements in surface water drainage, perhaps through increased funding under the 2009 water company price review, and better co-ordination of effort between the authorities responsible for drainage development and maintenance. Some Forum members were concerned that flood warnings still were not reaching everyone who might benefit. They welcomed the Environment Agency’s commitment to take note of recent experience in continuing efforts to enrol more people into the flood warning system and to make it more user friendly.

Members agreed that the emergency response to the summer floods had been excellent. They thanked and congratulated the Environment Agency and the local authorities and community groups concerned. Although the flood challenge in the lower Thames had not been as big as first expected, the omens were good for effective partnership in a more serious emergency – although there was no room for complacency.

Forum clarifies future priorities for flood protection

The Forum reviewed what it had done since February 2006 and priorities for future action as set out in the report circulated by the Chairman (posted as Paper 105 thamesff.org.uk). Members agreed that the top priority was to support and refine a comprehensive strategy for reducing flood risk around the lower Thames as far and as fast as possible. Each community would have its own priorities but everywhere the right balance would have to be struck between:

• Better water management to reduce the probability of flooding and threats to safety and property, thus reducing the consequences of flooding – measures include building, maintaining and operating flood defences, relief channels and drains as well as managing land in ways that increase water absorption and storage
• Improved support for householders and businesses to reduce the consequences of flooding by planning for flood survival and recovery should the worst happen. Measures include: better awareness of flood risk, improved flood warning and advice on individual flood protection initiatives.
• Planning future development in a way that reduces flood risk if possible and certainly does not add to it. Where the flood plain must be developed, further buildings need to be safe and resilient.
•  Competitive insurance to share burdens between all those at risk – again better risk awareness will level the “playing field”.

More detailed recommendations for action are given in the report under each heading.

Progress will depend on securing finance for the complex package and strengthening the partnerships that are required to deliver it fast and efficiently. The Forum will continue to campaign vigorously on these points.

Future of the Forum

The meeting was the last of a series intended both to help all members understand the complex issues that underpin effective flood protection in the area and to seek action to improve the situation. Local borough councils hosted and administered meetings. The Environment Agency paid the independent Chairman, who also filled the role of technical secretary and “ambassador” for the Forum, met his expenses and provided the website www.thamesff.org.uk

Members agreed that the Forum still had much to do to implement recommendations of the interim report and meet new challenges. However, one or two meetings per year, backed by a good website that carried update reports, policies and advice, should be sufficient to promote partnership in flood protection and keep up the pressure on the Regional Flood Defence Committee, Government, insurers and other outside bodies. A sub committee will now start the search for a replacement Chairman and secure administrative and technical support.

Retiring independent Chairman Tom Crossett commented: “It has been a privilege and a challenge to lead the Forum through the past three years. Members bring huge knowledge, ferocious energy and diverse experience. Inevitably there have been some significant differences of opinion but these have been resolved by all members’ patience, understanding and determination to progress.

“I have talked to a lot of people about the Forum. It appears to be unique and admired. Members have a lot to be proud of, but there is much more to do. I shall miss the Forum, but now that basic principles have been established, the next phase should be led by someone with more extensive local connections.”

Thames Flood Forum

The Thames Flood Forum is a voluntary group that brings together organisations with an interest in reducing flood risk in areas adjacent to the Thames and its tributaries between Hurley and Teddington, including local authorities, community groups and the Environment Agency.

The Forum promotes flood risk reduction by better mutual understanding of flood risk issues and options for their management. Membership is open to any organisation that shares the Forum’s interests.  Anyone can attend its meetings as an observer.

More information can be obtained from the Forum website www.thamesff.org.uk

Forum resources are provided by local authorities and the Environment Agency. The Forum is chaired by independent scientist Tom Crossett. He welcomes comments and suggestions for future business. He can be contacted at tom.crossett@gmail.com