Flood Risk and Prevention Conference

Cardiff Council – Simon Dooley, Flood and Coastal Risk Management, Team Leader (River Rhymney Flood Alleviation Scheme)

River Rhymney is set for a £25m coastal protection scheme that will manage flood risk to just under 1,200 properties in the southeast of Cardiff. The new flood defence, which could be ready by 2023, will also prevent material from Lamby Way landfill site eroding into the sea and protect key road infrastructure, a supermarket, and the Rover Way Travellers site for the next 100 years.

Environment Agency – Julie Foley, Director of Flood Risk Strategy and National Adaptation

Following the Environment Agency’s successful delivery of the government’s previous £2.6bn investment between 2015 and 2021, more than £860m will be spent in 2021-22 alone to support 1,000 schemes across England as a part of the Environment Agency’s annual capital programme. The new Flood and Coastal Erosion Investment Plan, published in summer 2021, outlines new flood and coastal scheme that will better protect 336,000 properties by 2027, helping to avoid £32bn in wider economic damages and reducing national flood risk by up to 11%.

Environment Agency – David Bedlington, Project Director (River Thames Scheme)

The River Thames Scheme is set to reduce flood risk to communities in Surrey and South West London. Set to cost £501m to deliver, the flood alleviation project will better protect 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses by reducing flood risk. In addition to this, the scheme will also contribute to developing the local economy, enhance the social and environmental value of the river, create new green spaces and areas for recreation such as fishing, cycling, and boating.

Flood Innovation Centre – Pip Betts, Project Manager

Recognising the need for an innovation centre targeted specifically at enhancing the resilience of the people, property and businesses of the Humber, the £3.4m Flood Innovation Centre was developed to stimulate flood innovation amongst regional SMEs. Since its creation, the centre has expanded to helping businesses across the UK, bringing together industry experts, high-level academic research and cutting-edge technology to enable businesses to evolve their way of operating and to help our communities become better prepared for rising flood risks.

Scottish Borders Council – Conor Price, Project Director (Hawick Flood Prevention Scheme)

The Hawick Flood Protection Scheme is one of the largest flood defence projects ever carried out in Scotland. A combined £88m has been invested into the project from the Scottish Government, Scottish Borders Council and various other regional stakeholders. Conor joins us to share his expert opinions on how the UK must combat climate change, as well as the importance of natural flood management and further insight into the Hawick project and the impact it will have on the wider region.

National Oceanography Centre – Dr Jennifer Brown, Coastal Oceanographer

Jennifer is a coastal oceanographer within the Marine Physics and Ocean Climate group & Coastal Ocean Processes sub group. She is currently working on a number of projects designed to innovate coastal flood management, a notable example of her work is the NOC’s WireWall project. Wirewall is an innovative and cost-effective system to help optimise sea defence design and early warning processes, reducing construction costs and providing protection for coastal communities.

Royal Town Planning Institute – Richard Blyth, Head of Policy Practice and Research

The Royal Town Planning Institute supports the power of planning in order to create vibrant communities. Using expertise and research, they bring evidence and thought leadership to shape planning policies. They also set the standards of planning education and professional behaviour to give planners the ability to meet complex socio-economic and environmental issues. Richard joins us to offer the RTPI perspective on how to protect our communities from the effects of flooding.

Bristol City Council – Cllr Nicola Beech, Cabinet Member for Climate, Ecology, Waste and Energy

Bristol City Council are working with the Environment Agency to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Avon to Bristol and neighbouring communities. There are approximately 1,100 properties near the city centre and a further 200 properties in nearby communities that are at risk of a severe river or tidal flood. A new proposal from the council would potentially see new flood defences created or the level of existing defences raised along the lower-lying sections of the River Avon. The Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee approved the council’s request for £1.75m of Local Levy funding to develop the Outline Business Case for the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy.

Environment Agency – Jon Hollis, Natural Flood Programme Manager

Since 2017, the Environment Agency has piloted 60 pilot projects across England as a part of a £15m programme aimed at using nature-based solutions to manage the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. Under the pilot projects, over 4,500 NFM measures have been installed across England, with some projects continuing installations with funding from other sources. The main achievements to date include slowing and storing water upstream of 15,000 homes in areas at risk of flooding, attracting £6m of funding contributions and improving 610 kilometres of river, 4,000 hectares of habitat and planting 100 hectares of woodland.

Leeds City Council – Cllr Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate

Leeds City Council have been working with the Environment Agency on a major scheme to reduce the risk of flooding in Leeds. The first phase of the £112m scheme was completed in 2012, better protecting more than 3,500 homes, 500 commercial city centre properties and critical access routes to Leeds train station. Phase two is set to cost around £87m to complete and will give protection to three key areas in the city region including Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Kirkstall Abbey and Kirkstall Meadows. Cllr Helen Hayden joins us to discuss what the scheme means for the local economy and the region’s at-risk communities.

The Rivers Trust – Daniel Turner, Project Manager

Dan is leading on the Wyre NFM Investment Readiness project, which is an innovative, first of its kind, project attracting green and social investment to help fund a catchment-scale NFM Project. Initial modelling of the River Wyre catchment has shown that the development of approximately 70 hectares of NFM features could reduce the frequency of flooding for up to 120 properties. These developments also hold the potential to deliver large financial savings to multiple beneficiaries including the water company, Environment Agency, local authorities, insurance industry, locally based businesses and of course, homeowners.

APPG for Flood Prevention – Rachael Maskell MP, Chair

Rachael is the Member of Parliament for York Central and the Shadow Minister for Charities. She has also served as Shadow Defence Minister and as Shadow Rail Minister; also serving in the Shadow Cabinet as the Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and as the Secretary of State for Employment Rights. Rachael is a passionate MP who works hard for her constituents and is currently the Chair of the APPG for Flood Prevention.

Oxfordshire County Council – Cllr Pete Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment

The Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme is the largest natural flood management project and one of biggest flood alleviation schemes in the UK. Set to cost around £150m, the scheme will reduce flood risk to homes, businesses, services and major transport routes into the city. Under the project, a new stream will be created with a wetland wildlife corridor, running through the existing floodplain to the west of Oxford. The scheme will be approximately 5km long, beginning north of Botley Road and ending south of the A423 near Kennington.

Herefordshire Council – Bethany Lewis, Natural Flood Management Project Officer

Herefordshire Council have been working in partnership with the Environment Agency, Local Flood Action Groups, local communities and other key delivery partners to deliver the River Wye and Lugg Natural Flood Management Project. The project makes up one of the 26 catchment scale projects funded by £15m of DEFRA funding to support NFM schemes. Under the scheme three floodwater-holding ponds were developed to hold up to 3 million gallons when flash flooding is at peak flow, reducing the impact felt by communities downstream.

Mostyn SeaPower Ltd – Derek Kent, Project Director

Bam Nuttall has been working  with the Port of Mostyn (Mostyn Seapower) as a Consultant for the last 3 years on the Proposed Tidal Lagoon on  River Dee. This £600m scheme would, as well as providing clean  green energy (300 GWh/year), provide a major upgrade to 6km of coastal  flood defences protecting both the mainline railway to  Holyhead and some 6 square miles of  coastal land , including a large part of the Town of Prestatyn.

A skilled and knowledgeable engineer with over 40 years experience in the construction industry, working for major contractors on all aspects of Design and Construct Contracts predominantly for  Marine works.  Recent schemes include work on two proposed Nuclear Power Stations as well as work on the Tidal Lagoon.

Hull City Council – Rachel Glossop, Flood Risk Planning Manager

As one of the most flood-prone regions in the UK, Hull has been working hard alongside the Environment Agency over recent years to reduce the effects of flooding and create more flood resilient communities. Over the last 6 years, more than £220 million has been spent on flood infrastructure in the Humber. As Hull City Council opens enquiries into it’s 2021-2027 flood risk strategy, Rachel joins us to share insight into the council’s plans to protect at-risk communities.

National Flood Forum – Sanjay Johal, Community Engagement Manager

With 1 in 6 homes in the UK at serious risk of flooding, the National Flood Forum exists to support individuals and communities at risk of water-based natural disasters. It can take up to two years for homes to dry out and be restored and during this time, many families live in temporary accommodation. The NFF work with the government, agencies, and local authorities on issues such as flood risk insurance, property protection and recovery to ensure that the needs of flood risk communities are represented.

BDB Pitmans – Sarah Clark, Partner (Planning and Infrastructure)

Sarah specialises in infrastructure planning. She has over 10 years’ experience in advising a wide range of public and private sector clients, helping them to secure the special consents they need to successfully deliver railway, highway, energy, flood defence and other major projects.

She offers expertise in drafting legislative instruments, public inquiry work, securing compulsory purchase powers, drafting and negotiating agreements and advising generally on planning, environmental and heritage issues.

Sarah also has a keen interest in public law and regularly advises public bodies on a wide range of issues relevant to the lawful exercise of their functions. She is dual qualified in Scottish and English law and regularly speaks at conferences and seminars on current issues in her areas of expertise.

CIWEM – Terry Fuller, Chief Executive

CIWEM is the leading international royal chartered professional body dedicated to the water and environment sector, representing, and supporting a community of thousands of members and organisations in 89 countries. They aim to work towards a safer, more sustainable world by building a global community of water and environmental professionals. The institution provides an extensive range of services, leading the industry in developing technical excellence through debate, networking, high-level events, thought leadership and policy development.

Built Environment Networking – Fahmida Nisa, Host & Event Manager

Nisa is a research, marketing and content specialist at Built Environment Networking. She will be hosting a number of the sessions throughout the day, running the day’s proceedings and managing the interaction between our virtual delegates and the speakers.

Lancashire County Council – Cllr Shaun Turner, County Councillor

As with communities throughout the UK, over the last few years, flooding caused by extreme rainfall has become a major issue across Lancashire. Historically, heavy rain has had a devastating impact across rural and urban areas of the county. In April 2021, working with the Environment Agency, the county council achieved planning permission for a new £54.7 million scheme directly reducing flood risk to 4,700 homes and businesses from Preston Riversway up towards the M6 and Higher Walton.

The Wildlife Trusts – Ali Morse, Water Policy Manager

The Wildlife Trusts are a federation of 46 independent wildlife conversation charities covering the whole of the UK. Wildlife Trusts are leading the way in delivering ‘Natural Flood Management’ solutions that slow the flow of water through catchments, reducing flood risk downstream. The Trusts are working closely with the Environment Agency to deliver the £15m NFM programme, including projects in London’s Crane Meadows and The Great Fen in Cambridgeshire.

National Highways – Mike Whitehead, Environment Team Leader (South East)

National Highways has awarded over £420,000 to 13 Natural Flood Management projects in partnership with the Don Catchment River Trust and the Mersey Rivers Trust. Several routes on the strategic road network due to benefit from the pilot include the M60, M62, M66, A58, A616, A628, and the B6194. The initial projects cover parts of the Litte Don, River Etherow and River Irwell catchments.

Environment Agency – Adam Robinson, Project Director (Boston Tidal Barrier)

Adam began working on the Boston Barrier in late 2014, a year on from the disastrous East Coast tidal surge, that flooded almost 800 properties and businesses. The Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Scheme is a £100m project to reduce the risk of tidal flooding to 14,300 properties and businesses in Boston. The scheme has been funded by DEFRA as part of its commitments to reduce flooding nationally and is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2022.