In the Thames Region, flood defence is an important part of our business, accounting for nearly half of our expenditure and our workforce.
In total, over 1.5 million people are potentially at risk from flooding.
We have four main duties:
1. We must be aware of possible new building developments on land liable to flooding and alert local planning authorities of the risk. We gather data that helps us define flood plain areas at risk from river or tidal flooding in our region. Our specialists continually carry out studies to give us a better understanding of why floods happen and how their effects can be minimised.
2. We carry out works to maintain river channels in good condition. These include:
- removing obstructions;
- cutting back dead or dying trees that might fall and block the channel;
- removing reeds and weeds that could cause blockages;
- dredging watercourses to remove the build up of silt;
- making sure sluices, pumps, weirs and other essential structures work properly.
3. We assess where new flood defence works are needed - and then build them. This could involve strengthening river walls, embankments, realigning water courses, digging flood relief channels and building new weirs and sluices.
4. We are committed to providing effective flood warnings and maintaining awareness of flood risk. These are perhaps our highest profile tasks.
At all times and in whatever we do in flood defence, we keep a firm eye on the needs of wildlife and of the environment as a whole. The aim is to enhance the environment as we build better flood defences. We work with our conservation specialists and take every opportunity to create new wildlife habitats as well as preserve existing ones. The Jubilee River scheme is a great example of how a flood defence scheme has created a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife.
Further information on Thames flooding issues
