London under water


What is the threat of flooding to London’s people and infrastructure? How will current defences cope with enhanced flood risk to the capital over the next 30 years?

ALEX NICKSON Strategy Manager for Climate Change Adaptation and Water at the Greater London Authority

DAVE WARDLE Environment Agency

ROWAN DOUGLAS Chairman Willis Research Network 

EVAN DAVIS BBC broadcaster

  • TALKS
  • FOCUSThe Thames Barrier
  • 60 SECONDSWays to prepare for a flood
  • INTERVIEWS
  • NEWSReview of London’s flood defences

Alex Nickson - Greater London Authority

Alex Nickson is the Strategy Manager for Climate Change Adaptation and Water at the Greater London Authority

watch video »

Dave Wardle - Environment Agency

Dave Wardle is the Thames Estuary Programmes Executive at the Environment Agency

watch video »

Panel Discussion - London under water

The panel discuss the risks of flooding in London, chaired by BBC's Evan Davis

watch video »
The Thames Barrier

The Thames Barrier

Find out more about the Thames Barrier, which protects over 1.2m people from…

more »
What is at risk if London floods?

What is at risk if London floods?

How will we face up to the challenge of increased flooding risk in…

more »
Ways to prepare for a flood

Ways to prepare for a flood

60 second guide to preparing homes for a…

more »
The River Thames

The River Thames

60 second guide to the River Thames

more »
Tidal flooding

Tidal flooding

60 second guide to…

more »
Surface water flooding

Surface water flooding

60 second guide to…

more »
Groundwater flooding

Groundwater flooding

60 second guide to…

more »
Fluvial flooding

Fluvial flooding

60 second guide to…

more »

Radical sea defence rethink urged

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 15th January 2010

Rising sea levels and an increase in the frequency of storms could leave many UK coastal areas vulnerable to extreme flooding, a report has warned. The project's findings, which include sketches and details of the proposed "new cities", will be presented in a exhibition that will visit London, Portsmouth and Kingston-upon-Hull.

full article »

800,000 homes face flood risk, warns climate change report

  • Source: The Daily Telegraph
  • Icon: Script 18th June 2009

Twice as many British homes will be at risk of flooding than previously thought because of the impact of climate change on sea levels, according to a report by government-appointed experts.

full article »

Sea rise ‘to exceed projections’

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 11th March 2009

The global sea level looks set to rise far higher than forecast because of changes in the polar ice-sheets, a team of researchers has suggested.

full article »

Rising sea levels pose a far bigger eco threat than previously thought. This week's climate change conference in Copenhagen will sound an alarm over new floodings - enough to swamp Bangladesh, Florida, the Norfolk Broads and the Thames estuary

full article »

Projects built despite flood risk on increase, warns Environment Agency

  • Source: The Daily Telegraph
  • Icon: Script 10th February 2009

Hundreds of homes, a primary school and a ferry terminal were given planning permission last year despite concerns over flood risks, watchdogs have warned.

full article »

Pitt Review of 2007 flooding published

  • Source: The Cabinet Office
  • Icon: Script 25th June 2008

The Pitt Review, ‘Learning lessons from the 2007 floods', released and calls for urgent and fundamental changes in the way the country is adapting to the increased risk of flooding and called on the Government to set out publicly how it will make rapid progress, and be held to account, on improving the country’s flood resilience.

full article »

UK Flooding plan ‘needs improvement’

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 25th June 2008

An independent review carried out by Sir Michael Pit has said that builder regulations must be stricter and planning better in flood prone areas and that urgent and fundamental changes are needed to improve flood defences.

full article »

Benn denies flood plan ‘chaos’

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 7th May 2008

A committee of MPs has said Britain’s Flood Defences are in a ‘chaotic state’ and that there is a ‘total lack of awareness’ as to how vulnerable certain parts of the country are to flooding.

full article »

Study reveals UK flooding risk

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 6th May 2008

Hundreds of vital installations in the UK are vulnerable to severe flooding, a confidential government study says.

full article »

A million new homes could be ‘uninsurable’

  • Source: The Independent
  • Icon: Script 15th February 2008

A third of the governments planned target 3 million new homes are to be built on flood plains against advice from the Environment Agency, meaning many could be classed as ‘uninsurable’ by the insurance industry.

 

full article »

Fixing the flood infrastructure

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 29th July 2007

One of the greatest challenges facing the UK government after the recent flooding is finding the resources and skilled labour to rebuild infrastructure.

full article »

Review of London’s flood defences

  • Source: BBC News
  • Icon: Script 29th July 2007

Landmark buildings in central London are to be reassessed for flood vulnerability as uncertaintity created by climate change has forced authorities to develop a plan to deal with a worst case scenario.

full article »