Image description: cars driving through roads which have flooded. Image by Chris “CJ” Johnson / pixabay.
A new analysis by the BBC has revealed thousands of flood defences meant to protect multiple homes or businesses in England were below the required condition when winter began.
The exclusive figures obtained by the BBC show that, as of 20 October, almost 9% of the 98,000 defences inspected by the Environment Agency were below condition. About 6,500 of those below condition are considered ‘high consequence’, meaning they are meant to protect multiple homes or businesses.
Who’s responsible for maintaining England’s flood defences?
Flood defences in England range from man-made walls, embankments and storm drains to natural areas of high ground.
Flood defences are maintained by a myriad of organisations across England, from private individuals to water companies, charities and local authorities – but just over half of defences with a flood risk management purpose are maintained by the Environment Agency.
During its routine inspections, the Environment Agency gives flood defences a condition score out of five. This is then measured against a target score that reflects the required condition.
Defences can be marked down for having cracks and leaks. Sometimes they can be overgrown with vegetation or, in the case of drains and sluices, blocked. However, the Environment Agency reportedly said a defence could still work correctly despite being in a poorer condition.
The risk of poorly maintained flood defences
Failing flood defences can have a range of potential defects such as racks or fractures in concrete or masonry walls, erosion or scouring at the base of embankments or walls, slumping or settlement of earth embankments, vegetation overgrowth, blocked or broken drainage systems, corrosion and water seepage or leakage through or beneath the defence.
It is currently unclear whether these issues have arisen due to a lack of money or more frequent and intense flooding straining defences in the last three or four years. However, the data shows the scale of the challenge facing the Government’s repair efforts as winter approaches, despite ministers pledging £2.65bn over two years to build and restore more than 1,000 flood defences across England.
Last winter, the UK was hit by six named storms, several causing severe flooding in England. Winters are also getting wetter, according to the Met Office, with six of the 10 wettest winter half-years (October to March) for England and Wales occurring in the 21st century.
In April, floods minister Emma Hardy told MPs that 3,000 of the Environment Agency’s 38,000 high-consequence assets were in the “poorest condition on record” following “years of under-investment”. Minister Hardy emphasises the current government’s “immediate response was to redirect £108m into maintenance and repair works.” The government is also investing at least £10.5bn – the largest programme ever – in flood defences until 2036. This will build new defences and repair assets across the country, protecting our communities for decades to come.”