Flood plain building - plainly foolish?

Flood plain building - plainly foolish?

2 November 2005, 19:00 - 20:30

Two million properties in England and Wales are already at risk of flooding, yet we continue to build on the flood plains. Rising sea levels will put more homes at risk. So is building on the flood plain pure folly? An estimated 75 per cent of the property value at risk from tidal floods in England and Wales lies within the Thames tidal flood plain. Rising sea levels will put even more properties below the waterline. So is building on the flood plain pure folly?

A major London flood today could cause £12 billion worth of damage, yet 120,000 new homes will be built in the Thames Gateway by 2016. So is flooding inevitable? Should our homes be built to withstand wet feet? And what should be done with the water - do we wall it out, or let it in? And will keeping London dry put other cities under water? The answer is not always obvious. Come along and see what the key players have to say, and what they think should be done to keep us home, and dry.

This event is free but places must be booked by calling 020 7942 4040 or by
emailing tickets@danacentre.org.uk. All events are open to anyone aged 18 and over.
Speakers (interviews available)
Facilitator: Mark Fletcher, Arup Water
Jean Venables: ICE Flood risk management, Thames Estuary 2100
David Ramsbottom: HR Wallingford
Peter Borrows: Environment Agency, Strategy Manager, Thames Estuary