A significant number of homes in 20 of the capital’s 32 London boroughs are at ‘high risk’ of flooding (1 in 30 per year), according to information provided to the London Assembly Environment Committee.
The figures, requested from the Environment Agency, show the top five boroughs with the most homes at ‘high risk’ of tidal and river flooding are;
In total 14,408 homes in London have been categorised as at ‘high risk’ of flooding - only two London boroughs, Camden and Islington, have no homes at all in the high risk category.
Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, said:
“The figures we have obtained from the Environment Agency show far too many homes in London remain at high flood risk. The Prime Minister has said that money is no object, so it’s time for the Mayor to cash in that promise and secure the funding necessary to protect those London homes. Current flood defence proposals will only protect a fraction of the homes at high risk.”
The Assembly has investigated the capital’s flood defences in 2002 [2], 2005 [3] and 2011 [4].
Notes to editors
1. Communities at risk in London Feb 2014 (attached)
2. Flooding in London Report 2002
3. London under threat? Flooding risk in the Thames Gateway 2005
5. Murad Qureshi AM, Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview. See contact details below.
6. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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