Urban flash floods a 'major hazard'

An inquiry by the all party Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee was considering a report into how the risks of flooding and coastal erosion could change in the UK over the next 100 years.

The report - the Foresight Flood and Coastal Defence Project - also explored the best options for Government and the private sector for responding to the challenges.

The report was commissioned by Professor Sir David King, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser, who told the MPs that "the biggest risk we face is the intra urban flood, where flash floods overwhelm the drainage system of the city.

"It will cause the most damage because it has the largest density of houses and the cost and the number of people is highest in those situations."

As for London, "it's not a matter of building another Thames barrier," said Sir David. "There's a whole range of things that will have to be put into place."

London was a point of focus and the Environment Agency had begun a study on the Thames Barrier with a view to updating its defences up to 2030.

"It is my understanding - and we will be waiting to see with interest the results and outcomes of this study - that the barrier is good to 2020."

Angie Bell