01743 298100
info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
GeoSmart Information
  • Home
  • Reports
    • Contaminated Land Reports
    • Flood Risk Assessments
    • Sustainable Drainage Reports
  • Data
    • Groundwater Flood Risk Map
    • SuDS Infiltration Map
    • BGS Geology Datasets
    • User Guides
  • Services
    • GWFlood
    • GWSewerFlood
    • Flood Risk Portfolio
  • Knowledge Hub
    • Contaminated Land
    • Flood Risk Assessment
    • Sustainable Drainage Systems
    • Groundwater Flood Risk
    • CPD
    • Videos
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Library
    • Case Studies
    • Latest GeoSmart e-Newsletters
  • About
    • Our Customers
    • Our Team
    • Our Partnerships
    • Testimonials
    • Careers
    • Our Responsibility
    • A Sustainable Future
    • FAQs
  • Contact

National Flood Review – Short term solutions that miss wider flood risk

Posted on September 12th 2016 in Blog, Flooding, Groundwater Flood Forecasting

The latest Defra Review on the UK’s flood defences has underlined that more than a short term fix is required with flood management for people and property – yet this is what it is proposing right now.

The Review underlines already well understood predictions of greater, more frequent flood events. It incorporates a new Met Office 20-30% uplift in rainfall and flood extent scenarios over next 25 years, to which they have a 90% confidence that these levels will not be exceeded.

The Review only examined river and coastal risk and is specifically focussed on measures that will protect critical infrastructure. In fact, the target is some 530 identified property assets within what is described as the “Extreme Flood Outline”. These have annually a 0.1% chance of severe flooding occurring that would severely compromise these assets, including electricity stations, telecoms facilities and hospitals.

In response, the government has proposed £12.5M of investment on temporary flood defences for these assets. They will provide some degree of protection, but they are of little value on their own and will do nothing against other types of flooding, crucially missed from the Review – groundwater, surface and sewer flooding.

The Scientific Advisory Group supporting the Review highlighted that there was scope to more fully integrated modelling of weather and rainfall scenarios and how this translates to likely flood events and depths on a local and national scale. There remains plenty of uncertainty on long term views on flood events, as existing records only go back 30-40 years. The Review acknowledged the work of the Flood Forecasting Centre partnership between the Met office and the Environment Agency (EA).

It was again disappointing to note that groundwater was largely omitted as a consideration in the Review. It provides a signature to many flood events but remains little understood, partly due to fragmented regulatory structure. The high profile 2014 flooding in the Thames basin was a good example of how groundwater multiplies flood risk. Flooding occurred at excessive levels, and yet it would have been a normal flood event, had it not been driven by already high levels of groundwater flooding in the catchment.

The role of groundwater in contributing to flooding and its impacts at the property level remain largely forgotten.  There is an understandable focus on potential loss of life as a priority, but groundwater significantly prolongs flood damage to infrastructure and property.

It is only when looking further ahead, beyond 2021, that the Review notes that natural flood management must be more widely implemented at the catchment level with “catchment leaders” coordinating planning and land management in order to “slow the flow”.

The Review also acknowledges the role of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in stemming the impact of surface water flooding. It made clear refer reference to the Planning Review in Spring next year which will assess the positive contribution of SuDS and whether legislation should be further strengthened for future property development.

In response to the Review, Stuart Pearce, Managing Director at GeoSmart said:

“The Review has focused on short term resilience measures for critical infrastructure, in recognition of the overwhelming evidence of more frequent, larger flood events.

 

While the Government clearly notes this is just part of the solution, all flood risks must be considered to provide holistic solutions. We look forward to working with regulators, authorities and industry to bring groundwater flood risk into the heart of enhanced modelling, so these are better understood. Our groundwater flood risk map is already proving vital in completing the picture for our clients.

 

We welcome the Review’s reference to the review of planning policy on natural flood management and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). This will create a greater impetus for these to be implemented across developments and communities for the longer term.”

Posted by DavidKempster
Share this Post
« Previous Post
Next Post »

Latest Articles

  • CPD webinar: Environmental Information for Masterplanning – 3rd February 2021
  • CPD webinar: Understanding SuDS – 20th January 2021
  • CPD webinar: Flood Risk Assessments: A Guide for Architects and Planners – 6th January 2021
  • Sales Executive – Environmental Reports – Vacancy
  • Environmental Consultant – Flood & Drainage – Vacancy

EnviroSmart Reports

View Contaminated Land Reports

FloodSmart Reports

View Flood Risk Assessments

SuDSmart Reports

View Sustainable Drainage Reports

See what our customers have to say...

"During the conveyancing process for my current house purchase, I was extremely concerned to find the general search results revealed the house was at 'moderate risk of groundwater flooding'. I was unable to get any further information from anyone until I contacted GeoSmart. The staff I spoke to were friendly, helpful, efficient and extremely knowledgeable. The information provided was very site specific and focused. The staff member who talked me through the information and maps provided was very knowledgeable, answered all my questions and allowed me plenty of time to discuss issues. Thanks to GeoSmart for their great service."
Linda Barton
"We were impressed by the speedy, well-informed service and personal contact that we received. The report was thorough and comprehensive. We will certainly use GeoSmart's services in the future"
Gregory Gray
Gregory Gray Associates
"I would like to say that dealing with GeoSmart was a seamless experience from beginning to end - thank you for that"
Martin Lloyd
Martin Lloyd Associates
"Everyone involved from initial approach to receipt of report was knowledgeable, efficient and focused"
Robert McCall
OeMO Ltd
"Great service! Extremely fast and the report was very detailed and well received by the planners. Many thanks GeoSmart, we will definitely use your services again"
Nigel Slack
Michael Eyres Partnership LLP
"The service was great, fast and efficient. Everyone we talked to was very helpful and the details were well received by the planners"
Ben Thorns
Solid Digital Marketing Ltd
"The service for a Phase 1 Contaminated Land Study was excellent, fast and efficient! GeoSmart were willing to assist despite the extremely tight timescale to work with. We will definitely consider using your services again"
Craig Roberts
Hunter Page
"Efficient and friendly service, GeoSmart provided a clear and concise report within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
Geraint Harris
Vitec Consult
"We are very pleased with the service provided by GeoSmart. Their reports have been used to assist with numerous planning applications and have always been delivered to budget and on-time, much to our clients’ appreciation. We look forward to working with GeoSmart on future projects"
Alan Gunne-Jones
Planning & Development Associates
"The service provided was efficient and friendly. From the first phone call to GeoSmart they provided a clear, professional approach to my request within the timescales advised. Great service and I would have no problem recommending"
John Childs
Private Developer
Find out more about how we can support you today!
Get in touch
Subscribe to our newsletter
© 2021 GeoSmart Information Ltd.

Suite 9-11, 1st Floor,
Old Bank Buildings,
Bellstone, Shrewsbury,
SY1 1HU

Company No. 5475394

Contact Us
Call 01743 298100
Email info@geosmartinfo.co.uk
Legal Links
  • Privacy Policy
  • CDM Regulations
  • Terms & Conditions
Website by Ascendancy Internet Marketing