Government must develop 25 year flood plan, says ABI

The ABI has called on the government to develop a 25-year strategy to manage Britain’s growing flood risk, to include an investment programme and stronger planning controls.

Its report, Summer Floods 2007: Learning the Lessons, also called for improved national leadership and coordination with national targets for reducing flood risk. It said a single national body should be responsible for flood management strategy.

Director general Stephen Haddrill said: “This summer’s devastating floods highlight the urgent need for a long-term strategy based around more investment, national coordination and better land use planning.

“Insurers want to continue to provide flood insurance. The right decisions from the government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the UK.”

The ABI also published the results of an opinion survey by Populus in the areas affected by the summer flooding, showing that nearly two thirds of those surveyed expected to be hit by floods again on the same scale.Government must develop 25 year flood plan, says ABI