21st Century Challenges

London under water

June 2008

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?

Watch the talks

The Thames Barrier

Find out more about the Thames
Barrier, which protects over 1.2m
people from the risk of tidal flooding
in London

Hosepipe ban extended after 60 years

Hosepipe bans will be extended so households cannot fill swimming pools, wash windows or clean the patio during a dry spell as part of new legislation to deal with the increased threat of droughts and flooding.

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

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.

Radical sea defence rethink urged

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.