HOMES IN THAMES GATEWAY SHOULD BE BUILT ON STILTS

12.01.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th Apr 2005

Ahead of the London Assembly Environment Committee's investigation of the flood risk in the Thames Gateway later today (7th April 2005), Liberal Democrat London Assembly Environment Spokesman, Mike Tuffrey, has called for some of the new homes and businesses in the area to be built on stilts to prevent flood damage and make sure they get flood insurance.

Mike Tuffrey proposes that residential and commercial development on high flood risk sites should be built several feet above ground level to reduce the potential damage from flooding and enable owners to get adequate insurance.

A report published earlier this year by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) highlighted that the flooding risks caused by new developments Thames Gateway could add over £47million to the annual bill. An extreme flood in the Gateway could lead to damages in excess of £16 billion.

Mike Tuffrey said:-

"Climate change is bringing higher sea-levels and increasing the risk of flooding in areas like the Thames Gateway. With over 85,000 homes in total planned for the Gateway's floodplains and £19billion worth of assets at stake, it is vital that new and innovative ways are put forward in the Gateway area to reduce the threat from flooding.

"While building properties on stilts may seem novel to people in London, this sort of development is commonplace in places such as Atlanta and Zanzibar. People know that to avoid the threat of flooding, their houses need to be built above water level.

"It is vital that the Mayor, insurance companies, developers, Ministers, and local authorities get round the table to establish responsible, innovative planning measures and secure reliable funding to protect homes in the Thames Gateway from flooding. Without sustained co-operation and financial backing, some new buildings in the Gateway will be in danger of turning into an uninsurable and uninhabitable white elephants."

ENDS

Notes to editor

On the 7th April 2005, the London Assembly Environment Committee will be investigating the flood risk to new homes and businesses in the Thames Gateway. The Committee will also look at the insurability of properties in the new development.

Full details of the ABI report can be found at:-

http://www.abi.org.uk/Display/default.asp?Menu_ID=718&;Menu_All=1,714,718&Child_ID=273