{"analytics_identifier":null,"base_path":"/government/publications/flood-and-coastal-risk-management-national-report/flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-report-1-april-2021-to-31-march-2022","content_id":"0471194c-5739-4f5b-a52e-be59ce1f9a81","description":null,"details":{"body":"

The Environment Agency use this report to summarise activities carried out by risk management authorities (RMAs) in England. Producing this report is a requirement of Section 18 of the Flood and Water Management Act (FWMA) 2010. This report is for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

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RMAs are:

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RMAs work together to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion. We also work with the regional flood and coastal committees (RFCCs).

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The RFCCs:

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1. Executive summary

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This year saw yet more extreme, record-breaking weather.

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There were:

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There were also significant flood events in both July 2021 and February 2022, with flood defences across the country protecting over 50,000 properties.

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In July 2021, parts of London received a month’s rain in just an hour. More than 1,500 properties suffered from surface water flooding as a result. In February 2022, the country experienced 3 named storms (Dudley, Eunice and Franklin) in one week for the first time ever. Over 370 properties were affected, mainly by river flooding.

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These storms highlight the importance of our National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management strategy (FCERM Strategy). This strategy sets the direction for making our country more resilient to future flooding and coastal change. In May 2021, we published our Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Action Plan. This plan set out the practical actions needed to implement the FCERM Strategy during 2021 to 2022. We have since set out our FCERM Strategy Roadmap to 2026, which replaces and builds on the initial 1-year plan.

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The extreme weather and climate emergency we’re facing require new and innovative ways of working.

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We have:

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The coastal transition accelerator programme will trial opportunities in a small number of coastal areas at significant risk of coastal erosion. This will help them transition and adapt to a changing climate.

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2021 also marked the start of the new FCERM investment programme. Government announced a record £5.2 billion investment between April 2021 and March 2027. This investment in around 2,000 FCERM projects will better protect communities across England. In the first year, we worked with partners to better protect nearly 33,000 properties. This was despite the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

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2. The year in context

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This section describes significant flood events and flood policy announcements between April 2021 and March 2022.

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2.1 Flooding between April 2021 and March 2022

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England experienced some periods of heavy rain between April 2021 and March 2022.

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Several areas in the country experienced flooding during these rainfall events. As a category 1 responder, we played an active role in the response to and recovery from these flood events.

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We record information on flooding as part of our incident response. As we improve our understanding of flood events, the figures on flooded properties may change over time.

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2.1.1 Summer 2021

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There was significant rainfall in London throughout July and early August. This caused parts of the city to receive over a month’s worth of rain within a couple of hours.

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This resulted in:

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This rainfall overwhelmed drainage networks and caused surface water flooding. Under the FWMA 2010, LLFAs have responsibility for local flood risk management, including surface water flooding. In carrying out their responsibilities, LLFAs work with other RMAs, including water companies and highways authorities.

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The incident response was led by the London Fire Brigade and local authorities (LAs). We worked with these emergency responders.

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The London Flood Review, commissioned by Thames Water following these events, reported over 1,500 properties were flooded.

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2.1.2 October 2021

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Between 26 and 29 October 2021, Cumbria was affected by a band of persistent and heavy rainfall. This included the third wettest 6-day period recorded across Cumbria since 1891. This resulted in around 40 properties in Cumbria being flooded.

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During this rainfall event we issued 11 flood warnings and 14 flood alerts.

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Heavy rainfall was also experienced elsewhere in the country, with a further 40 properties flooded being flooded.

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Flood defences protected over 3,000 properties from flooding.

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2.1.3 Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin – February 2022

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Between 16 and 21 February 2022 the country was hit by 3 named storms.

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These resulted in:

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The weather brought a severe flood risk for parts of the southwest coast and Bristol channel. Around 180% of February’s usual rainfall fell within 7 days.

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The storms also brought high winds and caused major disruption to transport and infrastructure.

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We worked with the Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC) to give partner organisations and responders:

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In total we sent over 770,000 flood warning messages by phone, text and email. Working with partners, we set up over 1.7 km of demountable and temporary barriers. We used over 40 pumps to help drain water from flooded areas.

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Severe flood warnings were issued for the Severn Estuary, East and West Didsbury, Bewdley and Ironbridge. Numerous flood warnings were issued for Derbyshire and South and West Yorkshire uplands.

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Over 370 properties were flooded. The majority of these were in the West Midlands (around 200) and Yorkshire (around 150).

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Flood defences protected around 35,000 properties from flooding across the country.

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The majority of flooding that occurred during storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin was caused by river flooding. Isolated properties suffered from surface water flooding.

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We recorded the highest ever river levels at:

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2.1.4 Recovery activities

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Following these storm events, we carried out a range of recovery activities across the country. \nThese covered:

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In total, we inspected over 6,000 assets and identified total recovery costs for our assets of around £8.2 million.

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We are collecting all relevant learning from these storm events. This learning will inform our future flood event response activity.

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2.2 National flood and coast erosion risk management strategy and action plan

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The FWMA 2010 states that we must develop, apply, maintain, and monitor a strategy for FCERM in England. The current National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England (the FCERM Strategy) was adopted by Parliament and published on 25 September 2020.

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The FCERM Strategy:

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All RMAs have a duty to act consistently with the FCERM Strategy when carrying out their FCERM roles.

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The FCERM Strategy’s long-term vision is for a nation ready for, and resilient to, flooding and coastal change – today, tomorrow and to the year 2100. \nIt has 3 ambitions:

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RMAs will achieve these ambitions through delivery of 21 strategic objectives over the next 10 to 30 years. There are also 56 shorter term measures that set out the immediate steps RMAs will take against each objective.

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On 12 May 2021, we published the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Action Plan 2021. The plan set out the initial actions needed to implement the FCERM Strategy during 2021 to 2022. The action plan has since been replaced by the FCERM Strategy Roadmap to 2026. This roadmap sets out the practical actions we will take to achieve the Strategy’s ambitions, working alongside a wide range of partners.

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The initial 1-year plan included the following actions:

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Despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the initial 1-year Strategy Action Plan was completed on time.

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2.3 Changes to government policy and announcements

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Government’s FCERM policy statement sets the long-term ambition to create a nation more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk. The policy statement outlines 5 ambitious policies and a number of supporting actions. The FCERM Strategy sits alongside and supports government’s 2020 policy statement on flood and coastal erosion risk management.

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Together, they call for the nation to embrace a broad range of resilience actions to better protect and prepare against flooding and coastal change.

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In July 2021 government published an update on the progress that has been made to achieve the commitments set out in the policy statement. This update also sets out further steps being taken.

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These include the publication of:

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3. Current risk and investment

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This section provides information on flood risk, investment and partnership working.

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3.1 Properties in areas at risk of flooding

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Sources of flooding include:

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Some properties are at risk from more than one source of flooding.

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Table 1: properties in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea, and from surface water as of 31 March 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Level of riskAnnual likelihood of flooding (percentage)Total number of properties in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the seaNumber of residential properties in areas at risk of flooding from rivers and the seaTotal number of properties in areas at risk of flooding from surface waterNumber of residential properties in areas at risk of flooding from surface water
HighGreater than 3.3189,000113,000326,000241,000
Medium1 to 3.3633,000430,000499,000391,000
Low0.1 to 0.991,020,000780,0002,348,0001,874,000
Very lowLess than 0.1641,000533,000not assessednot assessed
Totalnot applicable2,483,0001,856,0003,173,0002,506,000
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Due to the complexity and nature of groundwater flooding, we are not able to assign a likelihood to it.

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3.1.1 Changes in properties in areas at risk from flooding and coastal change

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The numbers of properties in areas at risk from flooding and coastal change will change over time. This is due to a range of factors including:

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All these factors will influence the total number of properties at risk of flooding in any given year and in any given location.

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We use flood mapping and modelling to understand the risk of flooding at national and local levels. We developed our current National Flood Risk Assessment (NaFRA) in the early 2000s. It provides risk information on flooding from rivers and the sea.

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Since then, we have significantly improved our:

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In 2018 this led to a significant national scale update to our measurement of flood risk.

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Our NaFRA indicates there are 77,000 fewer properties with a medium to high risk of flooding from rivers and the sea in 2021 to 2022. This is compared with 2015 to 2016. A medium or high risk is equal to or greater than 1% annual likelihood of flooding.

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Table 2: properties in areas at risk of flooding by source each year from 1 April to 31 March from 2015 to 2022

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Source of floodingRivers and the seaRivers and the sea at high or medium riskSurface waterGroundwater
Number of properties in areas at risk 2015 to 20162.7 million899,0003 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2016 to 20172.7 million897,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2017 to 20182.6 million897,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2018 to 20192.5 million872,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2019 to 20202.5 million852,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2020 to 20212.5 million846,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
Number of properties in areas at risk 2021 to 20222.5 million822,0003.2 million122,000 – 290,000
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Some properties are at risk from flooding from multiple sources. For example, we estimate that 660,000 properties are at risk from flooding both from rivers, the sea, and surface water. The figures for groundwater in table 2 may also include properties in areas at risk of flooding from other sources.

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Between April 2015 and April 2021 government invested £2.6 billion in the FCERM investment programme. This money better protected more than 314,000 properties. We estimate that this investment has reduced the nation’s flood risk (annual average damages to properties) by 5%.

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Government announced it is now investing £5.2 billion on the new 6-year FCERM investment programme in England from April 2021.

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During the first year of the programme 32,920 properties were better protected. We have started work to update and improve how we calculate the risk reduction achieved from the investment programme.

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We are currently developing a new NaFRA which should be available in 2024. We will be able to use this to track the causes of changes in our assessment of flood risk from surface water, rivers and the sea.

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3.2 Investment in FCERM\n

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The current 6-year programme of FCERM projects runs from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2027.

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In the first year of this programme nearly 33,000 properties have benefited from better protection from flooding and coastal erosion. Within this, other RMAs carried out works that better protect 1,800 properties.

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During this period, government invested £742 million of capital funding in FCERM.

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This includes spend on:

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This means you should not directly compare overall spend with the number of properties protected in the same year.

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Of this £742 million, £189m went to other RMAs. LLFAs have also spent £28m of local levy funding. Local levy funding is spent on local priority flood and coastal erosion projects. It is managed by RFCCs.

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Funding for FCERM projects is allocated through government’s partnership funding policy.

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We review the programme of FCERM projects each year to make sure that we:

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Table 3: FCERM capital investment from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

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Type of fundingInvestment (£ millions)
Central government£742
Local levy£28
Funding from other sources£53
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Table 4: government investment in FCERM per Office for National Statistics (ONS) region from 1 April to 31 March each year in £ millions

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\nONS region2021 to 2022 (£ millions)Properties better protected
East Midlands£716,430
East of England£733,680
London£324,380
North East£13110
North West£1082,600
South East£1159,460
South West£943,610
West Midlands£39260
Yorkshire & Humber£1302,390
Other£670
Total£74232,920
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Government funding is used to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk across all regions of the country. We do not have any regional investment targets. All schemes are carefully assessed to make sure they benefit the most people and property.

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Government funding has helped benefit areas of higher socio-economic deprivation across the country. Areas of deprivation are measured using the indices of multiple deprivation.

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Between April 2021 and March 2022:

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3.2.1 Other benefits of FCERM investment

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The main focus of our current investment programme is to better protect properties from flooding and coastal change. This investment programme will also provide other benefits to support local businesses, communities and economic growth. Benefits achieved in the first year are in Table 5.

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Table 5: other benefits of FCERM investment from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

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Type of benefitScale of Benefit
Agricultural land (ha)28,000
Commercial properties (No.)5,600
Roads (km)1,500
Rail (km)90
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3.2.2 Significant projects completed

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Between April 2021 and March 2022, we worked with other RMAs to complete around 120 FCERM projects.

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These projects better protected people and properties from:

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Case study 1: Exmouth Tidal Defence Project
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Exmouth has a long history of tidal and surface water flooding. In 2015 we began working with East Devon District Council on the Exmouth Tidal Defence Project. The new tidal defence project is part of the Exe Estuary’s flood risk management strategy.

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The project includes:

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The project is designed to consider the impacts of climate change and sea level risk and allow improvements in the future if needed.

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The project cost £12m and was completed in 2021. It has reduced the risk of tidal flooding to over 1,400 residential and 400 commercial properties in Exmouth.

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3.2.3 Partnership funding

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Funding for FCERM projects is allocated in line with government’s partnership funding policy. The amount of funding a project is allocated depends on the damages it will avoid and the benefits it will provide. The projects that are allocated government funding are those that:

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The amount of government funding a project is eligible for is based on the benefits it provides. If a project is not eligible for full government funding, it will need partnership funding contributions to make up the difference. They come from those benefiting from the project, including:

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Securing partnership funding is often central to the completion of many projects. Partnership funding contributions allow more communities to benefit from local FCERM measures that could not be funded by central government alone.

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Since 2015 we have worked with partners to secure around £600 million in partnership funding. This includes £53m this year. This funding has come from various private and other non-central government sources. Around 60% of FCERM projects completed between 2015 and 2021 required partnership funding. This extra funding enabled us to exceed our target and better protect 314,000 homes by March 2021.

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Case Study 2: Otley Flood Alleviation Scheme
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The Otley flood alleviation project is on the River Wharfe, a few miles north of Leeds. It was developed in response to flooding of the River Wharfe, including during Storm Eva on Boxing Day 2015.

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We worked in partnership with:

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The project cost £4.5 million in total. Partnership funding contributed around half of this cost, with Leeds City Council contributing £1.5 million. Yorkshire RFCC, Yorkshire Water and the DfE also contributed to the cost of the scheme.

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The project cuts off primary flooding and holds floodwater within the natural floodplain. It also includes the diversion of Kell Beck tributary into a new open channel.

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Work was completed in November 2021. Overall, the project will better protect 58 properties. It also benefits local schools, roads and the hospital, and supports access to the town centre.

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3.2.4 Asset management

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We maintain around 74,000 assets that have a flood or coastal risk management purpose in England. These include:

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Between April 2021 and March 2022 we spent around £179 million on maintaining FCERM assets. The investment includes developing technology and maintenance activities, such as:

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On average, each year we inspect over 175,000 flood risk management assets. We also maintain these assets, alongside other RMAs and third parties.

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On 31 March 2022, 91.8% of our flood risk assets in high consequence flood risk management systems were in the required condition. A high consequence system is a location where there is a high concentration of properties. Several flood defences work together to reduce flood risk and better protect that area.

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Assets that are below the required condition need extra maintenance work. It does not mean they have structurally failed or will not perform as required in a flood. If an asset’s performance is reduced, we will take action to manage flood risk until we repair or replace it.

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We publish details of planned maintenance activities in the river and coastal maintenance programme.

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3.3 Public sector cooperation agreements

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The FWMA 2010 says RMAs must cooperate with each other when carrying out FCERM activities. RMAs can work together to provide flood risk maintenance and other activities. One example of partnership working is public sector cooperation agreements (PSCAs). The benefits of partnership working are now well established.

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We use PSCAs for a wide variety of work including:

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We will continue to increase the number of PSCAs and their use where appropriate.

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Table 6: summary of national PSCAs on 31 March 2022

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\nPSCAs statusInternal drainage boardLead local flood authorityNavigation authorityTotal
\nPSCAs in place315339
\nPSCAs in principle98017
Renewals in progress150015
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Since 2020/21, 26 PCSAs have ended by mutual consent as there are no plans for their future use.

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3.4 Efficiency savings

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We have to report to government about the efficiencies achieved through our FCERM programme. This is so that we achieve the best possible value for the investment of government funds.

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We can achieve efficiencies through:

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Savings are achieved through:

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We are aiming to achieve 10% efficiencies in the current investment programme.

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Between April 2021 and March 2022, we have achieved £5.5m in efficiency savings. We have done this mainly by using different contract methods to gain greater value and risk sharing from our supply chain.

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Efficiencies vary from year to year. They depend on:

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4. FCERM strategy ambition 1 - climate resilient places

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This section explains how RMAs are working together to increase resilience to flooding and coastal change, both now and in the future.

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4.1 Climate change

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Our climate is changing, sea levels are rising, and we are experiencing more extreme weather. In weather terms 2021 was an average year. But long-term records show that in the UK:

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The scale of potential future flooding and coastal change is significant. 1 in 6 people are already at risk of flooding from rivers and the sea. The risks will only increase with rising sea levels, more frequent and severe floods and storm surges. The Climate Change Committee’s 2021 Progress Report recognises these risks.

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s 2021 report highlighted:

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The report stated that adaptation action is needed now. The climate of the future depends on the actions we take now.

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There are 2 main ways we can tackle climate change:

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We need to prepare for the changes that are already happening. We need to both mitigate and adapt to minimise risks from climate change.

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4.1.1 Mitigation

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In May 2021 we published our road map for cutting carbon emissions and reaching net zero by 2030. \nThis document:

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An action plan, containing 92 actions, supports our net zero road map. We track and report progress quarterly.

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Construction makes up 54% of our total emissions. We have prioritised reducing carbon during the construction of our flood risk management projects. The choices we make about the construction materials we use are very important. For example, over 80% of our carbon emissions from construction are contained in the concrete and steel used. To reduce this, we have changed our technical requirements for suppliers. We now specify low carbon concrete by default.

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Adopting new low carbon technologies quickly is essential to reaching our net zero 2030 goal. Working with our supply chain partners, we are trialling low carbon construction materials and modern methods of construction. The trials are helping us build confidence with new techniques. This means we can accept them into our engineering standards more quickly. We share the lessons learned via case studies.

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Nature-based solutions can offer carbon sequestration benefits, as well as being lower carbon/ zero carbon.

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In September 2021, we launched our Carbon Academy Carbon Literacy training package for all 11,000 of our staff. We are aiming to become the first externally accredited “carbon literate” government body. By March 2022 more than a third of our staff had completed this training.

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Case Study 3: Hythe Ranges sea defences
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The Hythe Ranges are located on the South Coast a few miles from Folkestone. We worked in partnership with the Ministry of Defence to complete the Hythe Ranges scheme in March 2021.

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The aim of the £25 million project is to reduce flood and erosion risks to the people, businesses and infrastructure of Romney Marshes for the next 100 years. Risk was reduced from 5% annual exceedance probability (AEP) to 0.5% AEP. 787 properties, the Ministry of Defence’s firing ranges and some historic monuments all benefited.

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The project included:

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We took significant steps to cut waste and mitigate the carbon impacts of the project.

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To reduce waste, we reused around 5-10% of the demolished timber from the old groynes. 90% of the remainder recycled or re-used by third parties. For example, recycled timbers were used in the construction of benches which are now installed on the public promenade.

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We also reduced the carbon impacts of the project by:

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We also used other low-carbon elements including:

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4.1.2 Adaptation and resilience

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The FCERM Strategy:

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This will make sure our approach to FCERM can adapt to a range of climate futures. We’re doing this in both our planning advice for new developments and for the design of new FCERM projects and strategies. We have ensured this guidance reflects the latest climate science.

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In July 2021, we updated our guidance for RMAs on how to account for climate change in projects and strategies when applying for FCERM funding. We updated our peak river flow allowances to reflect the UK Climate Projections 2018. The guidance is in line with our partnership funding and appraisal guidance. This supports the FCERM Strategy’s ambition to plan for a range of climate futures.

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In the March 2020 budget, government announced a £200 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Fund over 6 years (2021 to 2027). The aim of the programme is to improve the resilience of places to flooding and coastal change by sharing their evidence and learning. This will also help inform future approaches to and investment in FCERM.

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We will carry out this programme of work, which contains 3 elements:

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Flood and coastal resilience innovation programme
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£150 million of the funding will be used to develop 25 projects. In March 2021, the Secretary of State (SoS) announced the 25 projects selected. Each project will develop and test innovative approaches to improve community resilience to flooding and coastal erosion. They will do this by developing, testing, and implementing resilience actions that are outside the scope of what central government usually funds.

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The 25 projects include:

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The programme will share evidence and learning to inform future approaches to, and investments in FCERM.

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Adaptation pathway plans
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£8 million of the funding will be used to develop adaptation pathway plans in 4 strategic locations. These are:

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These will help to develop long term investment plans for climate adaptation. This will help policy makers and practitioners improve how we adapt to future flood risk and plan for end of century options.

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The adaptation pathway plans will help us and other RMAs plan for, better protect, respond to, and recover from flooding and coastal change. They will also help to identify the right investment choices in flood and coastal resilience.\nThis will:

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Coastal transition accelerator programme
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£36 million of the funding will be used to develop a coastal transition accelerator programme. This will trial opportunities, in a small number of coastal areas at significant risk of coastal erosion, to transition and adapt to a changing climate.

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The initial areas of focus will be North Norfolk and East Riding of Yorkshire. This funding will allow work with coastal communities that cannot be sustainably defended from coastal erosion. Both councils will work with residents, businesses and asset owners to set out a long-term coastal adaptation plan. They will also take immediate on the ground actions to support the long-term resilience of coastal communities.

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Actions could include:

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Other coastal communities and RMAs will benefit from the lessons learnt during this this programme.

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4.2 Coastal change

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The National Coastal Erosion Risk Map (NCERM) currently shows that about 2,000 properties are at risk of being lost to coastal erosion by 2060. This assumes all current shoreline management plan (SMP) policies are carried out.

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We have commissioned consultants to start updating the NCERM. By the end of 2023, we will have:

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Coast protection authorities (CPAs) have permissive powers. These powers allow them to carry out flood and coastal erosion risk management works. Some CPAs in England have also helped manage adaptation by introducing local planning mechanisms. These can include helping people move further inland from areas of risk along the coast.

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4.2.1 Shoreline management plans (SMPs)

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SMPs set out the local approach to coastal adaptation, investment, and spatial planning into the next century. They identify the most sustainable management approach for each stretch of coastline in England.

\n\n

The management approaches cover the:

\n\n\n\n

CPAs and other important stakeholders have led the development of SMPs. This was done in 7 regional coastal groups across England.

\n\n

We are working with coastal authorities to refresh the SMPs developed between 2006 and 2012. We are coordinating this work with support from the coastal groups.

\n\n

The review will make sure that SMPs are up to date and use the best available evidence in their recommendations. This will support planning and investment at the coast into the next century.

\n\n

Since January 2021, coastal groups have used revised guidance to clarify the management approaches in each SMP. Since June 2021, SMP groups have also been working to update the action plans linked to the SMPs. This is capturing new actions addressing areas of concern highlighted through the review.

\n\n

We are building on work previously undertaken to develop an online platform for SMPs. The SMP Explorer will provide a new online platform for SMPs. This means they can be more easily updated, accessed and understood by coastal managers and local planners. We have used feedback from the groups to update the prototype. We are carrying out user research to make sure the SMPs are easy to access and understand.

\n\n

4.2.2 Coastal habitats

\n\n

RMAs look for opportunities to incorporate nature-based solutions when planning and constructing a new FCERM project that creates or enhances coastal habitats. They do this through making space for nature or incorporating features that enable habitats to form.

\n\n

FCERM projects can also cause loss of valuable coastal habitat. We must compensate for this loss when we build and maintain FCERM assets.

\n\n

This includes:

\n\n\n\n

Most losses happen due to coastal squeeze. This is where flood risk management assets prevent the natural landward migration of intertidal habitats. We normally compensate for this loss by creating and restoring habitat as part of the Habitat Compensation and Restoration Programme (HCRP). The HCRP covers both freshwater and intertidal habitats.

\n\n

Habitat restoration may involve improving existing habitats and the creation of new habitat. This can link, enhance, extend and improve the resilience of the protected site network.

\n\n

Overall, the HCRP has successfully kept pace with losses at internationally protected sites. These sites are identified within the 2005 to 2025 SMP planning horizon and FCERM strategies in most parts of England.

\n\n

As of March 2022, the HCRP has created:

\n\n\n\n

We will be reassessing intertidal habitat gains and losses during 2023. The results will be published in next year’s report.

\n\n

4.2.3 Inter-tidal saltmarsh and mudflats

\n\n

Our knowledge of saltmarsh restoration and the benefits that this brings has improved significantly over time. \nSaltmarshes can:

\n\n\n\n

We have created over 900 hectares of inter-tidal habitat (saltmarsh and mudflats) since the early 2000s. Despite this progress, we expect to continue to lose coastal habitat as a result of sea level rise over time.

\n\n

4.2.4 Other coastal habitats

\n\n

Other protected habitats around the coast also experience pressure from FCERM activity. These include:

\n\n\n\n

We have created 600 hectares of these habitats since the early 2000s. These have compensated for losses associated with coastal erosion and coastal change. These are mainly reed bed and grazing marsh situated on the east and south-east coast. We need to continue to create these habitats as there are likely to be losses as a result of future projects.

\n\n

4.3 Natural Flood Management (NFM)

\n\n

Natural Flood Management (NFM) can manage flood and coastal erosion risk by protecting, restoring and emulating the natural processes of:

\n\n\n\n

It includes:

\n\n\n\n

Investing in NFM can also provide wider benefits.\nThese include:

\n\n\n\n

The FCERM Strategy will help achieve the aims and ambitions of the 25 Year Environment Plan by embracing nature-based solutions.

\n\n

Government announced £15 million of funding for NFM in the Autumn Statement 2016. We used this funding to run the 2017 to 2021 NFM Programme, which included 60 projects. We have evaluated this programme and will include the outcomes in the next report.

\n\n

There were 130 NFM related projects in the 1 April 2015 to March 2021 FCERM capital investment programme, including the NFM programme. In the FCERM policy statement government committed to double the number of projects using nature-based solutions to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk.

\n\n

This means we have a target that by Spring 2027, at least 260 projects will have been completed through the FCERM investment programme.

\n\n

We will continue work on mainstreaming NFM. We have already made progress in doing this:

\n\n\n\n

4.4 Agriculture and land management

\n\n

Farming in Britain is undergoing significant change. The Agricultural Transition Plan sets out government’s ambitions for new financial incentives. It also considers the importance of food security and enhancing our natural environment. The FCERM Strategy recognises the importance of agriculture and land management. It makes it clear farmers have a role in mitigating flood risk whilst increasing the resilience of their own farm.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022 we better protected around 28,000 hectares of Grade 1, 2 and 3 agricultural land from flooding. This work was carried out through the FCERM investment programme

\n\n

4.4.1 Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMs)

\n\n

We are working with Defra and other government agencies on the design of the new Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs). Defra is introducing 3 new schemes that will pay for environmental and climate goods and services.

\n\n

These are:

\n\n\n\n

4.4.2 Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF)

\n\n

In 2020 the CSF scheme was expanded to include advice on flood mitigation. This includes NFM advice and guidance for farmers and land managers. Since the inclusion of NFM into CSF, 17 NFM projects across England have benefitted from support from CSF Advisors.

\n\n

4.5 Improving the environment

\n\n

We work with other RMAs to look for opportunities to create and improve habitat as part of our FCERM work. We often form partnerships with groups such as wildlife and rivers trusts. Between April 2021 to March 2022 we have carried out many environmental improvements.

\n\n

These include:

\n\n\n\n

Examples of these improvements include:

\n\n\n\n

4.6 Strategic planning: flood risk management plans

\n\n

We have worked together with LLFAs and other RMAs to produce draft flood risk management plans (FRMPs) for public consultation. The consultation ran from 22 October 2021 to 21 January 2022. The consultation gathered views from stakeholders to help inform a final set of plans and actions to manage flood risk between 2021 to 2027.

\n\n

The plans will help us develop and improve our existing programmes of work. This includes the programme of flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes, and work with local communities to improve resilience. \nThe plans will also:

\n\n\n\n

We received 255 responses in total, including 42 from members of the public and 190 from organisations.

\n\n

These included:

\n\n\n\n

The main themes raised in the responses were:

\n\n\n\n

The plans were published in December 2022.

\n\n

5. Ambition 2 – today’s growth and infrastructure resilient in tomorrow’s climate

\n\n

This ambition is about making the right investment and planning decisions to secure:\n- sustainable growth and environmental improvements\n- infrastructure resilient to flooding and coastal change

\n\n

5.1 Promoting safe development resilient to flooding and coastal change

\n\n

Our Long Term Investment Scenarios (LTIS) predict that the number of homes in the floodplain will almost double over the next 50 years.

\n\n

Climate change will also increase the:

\n\n\n\n

Spatial planning will help us minimise the flood damages that these trends could cause. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) makes it clear that we should avoid inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding.

\n\n

Where development has to take place in flood risk areas, it should:

\n\n\n\n

Development design should be flood resistant and resilient. This will minimise flood damage and speed up recovery in the event of flooding.

\n\n

We have an important role as a statutory planning advisor to local planning authorities (LPAs). We support sustainable development by engaging with, and advising, developers and planners. By doing this, we help to support sustainable growth in the right places.

\n\n

Investing in flood risk planning advice makes good economic sense. For every £1 we spend providing advice, around £12 of future flood damages are avoided.

\n\n

We comment on development proposals:

\n\n\n\n

We are not a statutory consultee:

\n\n\n\n

LLFAs are a statutory consultee on major development with surface water drainage.

\n\n

We respond to approximately 11,000 planning applications each year. We provide detailed flood risk advice for around 7,000. Our flood risk planning advice helps to avoid around 40,000 homes from being built each year in an unsafe way or location.

\n\n

During 2021 to 2022, 7% of new homes were built in Flood Zone 3. Properties in this zone are at:

\n\n\n\n

This is unchanged from the previous year but is a reduction from the 9% recorded in 2019/20 and the 11% recorded in 2016/17.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022:

\n\n\n\n

We record a sample of planning application outcomes. This:

\n\n\n\n

We recorded decisions for 817 planning applications where we lodged flood risk objections. These cases totalled 22,314 homes overall. Between 1 April 2016 and 31 March 2022, we recorded the LPA’s final decision for around 59% of the applications we objected to on flood risk grounds.

\n\n

We publish a list of all applications where we’ve lodged initial objections on flood risk grounds. Often, the issues are resolved before a final decision is made.

\n\n

Table 7: planning applications reviewed by the Environment Agency between 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Type of ActionTotal
Planning applications responded to9,586
Planning applications which required detailed flood risk advice6,522
Number of planning decisions recorded that related to flood risk objections817
Number of homes granted planning permission contrary to our flood risk advice453
Number of planning decisions recorded in line with our advice789
Number of planning decisions made contrary to our flood risk advice28
% of planning applications determined in line with our advice96.6%
% of residential properties in planning applications in line with our advice98.0%
\n\n

The SoS for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has the power to call in (take over) planning applications.

\n\n

LPAs must refer certain planning applications to the SoS if we have objected on flood risk grounds. LPAs are responsible for identifying relevant planning applications and for following the statutory process set out in The Town and Country Planning Direction 2021.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022, 26 planning applications were called in by the SoS in relation to flood risk. A further 5 cases were referred to the SoS. The SoS decided not to intervene in 4 of those cases. A decision on whether to call the application in has not yet been made for the final case. You can read more information on called-in cases and decisions.

\n\n

5.1.1 Planning policy, guidance and research

\n\n

We worked with the Town and Country Planning Association to produce an introductory video, ‘Planning for the climate emergency’. The video explains how and why planning must consider flood risk. It is aimed primarily at LA planning officers and elected members. It will also be useful for anyone with an interest in planning and flood risk.

\n\n

We have also worked with the Planning Portal to improve its guidance on flood risk and sustainable drainage systems. Many planning applicants submit their planning applications through the Planning Portal. It is an effective way to ensure applicants appropriately consider these issues early in the process.

\n\n

This guidance should help applicants supply sufficient information on flood risk and sustainable drainage. In turn, this should increase the speed and efficiency of the planning process.

\n\n

We have worked with partners to publish several new products. Together, these will help LPAs assemble robust and up-to-date evidence on flood risk. This will inform local plan preparation and decisions on individual applications.

\n\n

These products include:

\n\n\n\n

5.2 Property Flood Resilience

\n\n

5.2.1 Pathfinder projects

\n\n

In 2019 government funded 3 LA led PFR pathfinder projects. \nThe aim of these projects was to:

\n\n\n\n

These projects finished in early 2022. They created a range of high quality, accessible and materials. These can be used to engage with home and business owners about making their properties more resilient to flooding.

\n\n

The materials include:

\n\n\n\n

Missy’s Tale

\n\n\n\n
\n
Case study 4: Floodmobile
\n\n

Our Oxford-Cambridge project team commissioned the creation of a ‘Floodmobile’. This is an interactive demonstration vehicle which provides examples of over 50 practical property flood resilience measures.

\n\n

These include:

\n\n \n\n

We use the ‘Floodmobile’ to bring to life what can be done in any home or business premises. It also lets us talk directly to anyone concerned about flooding.

\n\n

During 2021 and early 2022, the ‘Floodmobile’ visited a number of communities across the country at high risk of flooding. We talked to property owners about flood risk and the practical measures they can use to make their properties more resilient.

\n\n

We also provide an interactive 360-degree virtual tour for those who are not able to access the ‘Floodmobile’ in person.

\n
\n\n

5.2.2 Improving skills and capabilities

\n\n

We have worked with the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) to develop property flood resilience training. This training will help partners to follow the PFR code of practice.

\n\n

The training is targeted at 2 audiences:

\n\n\n\n

Foundation training is also available. This introduces attendees to the elements of PFR. It will need to be completed before starting the technical training, which we are currently developing.

\n\n

5.3 Reservoir safety

\n\n

We regulate large, raised reservoirs (LRRs) in England.

\n\n

This is a requirement of the Reservoirs Act 1975, which aims to ensure that dams and reservoirs are safe. Responsibility for the safety of reservoirs lies with their undertakers which are the owners or operators of the reservoir.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022, we regulated 2,117 LRRs. We own 218 of these. The remainder are third-party owned.

\n\n

Our role, as the enforcement authority, is to ensure undertakers follow the legal safety requirements. We will report on the enforcement action we take against non-compliant cases in our next biennial report. This is due in summer 2023.

\n\n

Previous information can be found in the Biennial report on reservoir safety: 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. From 2023, this report will be published annually.

\n\n

The Act and Regulation 14 of Statutory Instrument 2013 No. 1677 state reservoir owners and operators must report incidents at LRRs. Since 2013, an average of 8 incidents have been reported each year.

\n\n

Eleven incidents were reported to us between April 2021 and March 2022. Emergency measures were required at one serious incident (level 2). This was at a non-statutory reservoir, which is one which holds less than 25,000m3 water. There were no serious consequences in this event.

\n\n

Ten level 3 incidents occurred, which is when the undertaker takes precautionary measures. Reservoir owners have 12 months following an incident to provide a full and comprehensive post incident report.

\n\n

Details of these incidents are in our post-incident reporting for reservoirs: annual report.

\n\n

In May 2021, government issued a new ministerial direction. This requires reservoir owners to prepare and maintain emergency on-site flood plans. \nThese plans:

\n\n\n\n

This will enable a rapid response to manage any on-site incidents and related flood risks. We will report on progress with these plans next year.

\n\n

In June 2020, government published the independent reservoir safety review report. It reviewed whether the regulation of reservoirs remains effective. There were 15 recommendations. We worked with government during 2021 to turn these recommendations into an action plan, which will begin in 2022.

\n\n

We have updated and improved our existing flood maps. These allow owners and operators to review any flood risk to the surrounding area. These maps were published on 9 November 2021 with supporting guidance: reservoir flood maps: when and how to use them.

\n\n

5.4 Surface water management action plan

\n\n

Surface water flooding is the most widespread form of flooding in England, with over 3 million properties in areas at risk. We know that this risk will increase due to climate change and population growth.

\n\n

LLFAs are responsible for managing surface water, ordinary watercourses and groundwater flooding on the ground.

\n\n

We have a legal supervision over all sources of flooding, which includes from surface water. This ‘strategic overview’ role is distinct from the day-to-day operational role we have for managing flood risk from rivers and the sea.

\n\n

Our FCERM Strategy, FCERM Strategy Roadmap and government’s FCERM policy statement set the future direction for managing surface water flood risk. RMAs are starting work on the £5.2 billion FCERM investment programme (2021-2027).

\n\n

Over the reporting period, a range of actions in government’s Surface Water Management Action Plan (SWMAP) have been progressed or completed. The SWMAP sets out the steps government is taking, with us and others, to manage the risk of surface water flooding.

\n\n

The actions included:

\n\n\n\n

In July 2021, government confirmed its commitment to tackle surface water flood risk when it published an update on surface water management. This includes progress with the surface water management action plan. Government also published a response to the independent Jenkins’ review into surface water and drainage responsibilities.

\n\n

5.5 Flood risk activities – environmental permitting

\n\n

We regulate work on or near main rivers using environmental permits.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022, we issued 2171 bespoke permits. There were also 1362 registered exemptions.

\n\n

We continue to monitor and take enforcement action against unauthorised activity in rivers and floodplains. This can include illegal ground filling in the floodplain or taking material from within the river without the necessary permissions.

\n\n

We continue to improve our service, to ensure our customers and partners receive value for money. During the reporting period, we have put many improvements in place. This includes implementing a new IT system and amending some exemptions in the environmental permit regulations (EPR).

\n\n

We continue to invest in digital and IT solutions to improve the service we provide to customers.

\n\n

Our aim is to ensure our customer’s journey is positive and they get their permits in a timely and organised manner. In the forthcoming year we are looking to reform the operational delivery of our permitting service for some of our river and coastal work.

\n\n

5.5.1 Publication of byelaws

\n\n

The regional flood defence and land drainage byelaws were set up by the regional water authorities. They have since been passed to us. There are 9 sets of regional byelaws in England. In 2016 some individual byelaws transferred to the EPR. This means only a small number remain operational. These include those that protect our equipment and property.

\n\n

Until recently these byelaws only existed in old written publications with little visibility to the general public. We have now published these 9 sets of byelaws online. This will help us raise awareness of the potential harm that some actions can cause.

\n\n

5.6 Water companies contribution to reducing risk

\n\n

Under the FWMA 2010, water companies are RMAs. This means they have to act in a way that is consistent with the FCERM Strategy. They also have a duty to cooperate with other RMAs.

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022 water companies have:

\n\n\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022, water companies invested:

\n\n\n\n

There have been some good examples of innovation and partnership working this year. These include:

\n\n\n\n

An example includes Wessex Water’s application of the natural flood management and sustainable urban drainage studio tool. This is a move from traditional solutions to more catchment and nature-based solutions. It will provide more integrated outcomes for communities and the environment.

\n\n

Some water companies are committing to innovation in flood and coastal risk management. This is through direct involvement in local resilience projects started through the £150 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme.

\n\n

6. Ambition 3 - a nation ready to respond and adapt to flooding and coastal change

\n\n

This ambition is about ensuring local people understand:

\n\n\n\n

6.1 Skills and capacity in LLFAs\n

\n\n

LLFAs are responsible for achieving approximately half of the benefits in the £5.2 billion FCERM investment programme. RMAs need the capacity and capability to complete the programme themselves or have arrangements with others to complete work on their behalf. We are supporting other RMAs to develop projects by streamlining the FCRM project process and improving access to guidance, tools and training.

\n\n

We have published formal guidance and tools on GOV.UK to help support RMAs as they develop FCERM projects. An on-line community gives access to training resources such as eLearning, webinars and podcasts that were only available to our staff before.

\n\n

As of March 2022, 61% of RMAs with at least 1 project in the FCERM investment programme have joined this community. Since May 2020 there have been over 79,000 visits with the learning and development pages being the most viewed.

\n\n

In March 2022 we published a significant update to the FCERM appraisal guidance. The appraisal guidance helps project teams develop their project options, assess costs and benefits and identify the most beneficial option. The guidance is now significantly shorter and easier to read. It now includes updated approaches such as for climate change, carbon and natural flood management.

\n\n

6.2 Using digital technology to warn and inform

\n\n

The way we use digital technology continues to evolve. We have developed and improved our services in several ways, including:

\n\n\n\n

6.2.1 Flood warning service

\n\n

We have continued to improve our flood warning service based on user feedback.

\n\n

In February 2022 the Flood Warning System moved to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform. This change achieved increased resilience on an already highly resilient service. The newly migrated Flood Warning System was tested during the February 2022 storms and performed well with no issues experienced.

\n\n

We are working with the Cabinet Office and wider government on a UK–wide mass alerting system. The service is called Emergency Alerts. It will warn people if there’s a danger to life near their location, including when on the move as they enter an at-risk area. People will not need to register for this service. In an emergency, a person’s phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.

\n\n

We supported partners in the first public trials of the Emergency Alerts service during summer 2021. We expect to be the first organisation in the UK to use the new service for flood related emergencies.

\n\n

We are also looking to replace our current Flood Warning System in the coming years. We are starting to review what we want a future system to do, so we can improve the way we prepare and communicate flood warnings.

\n\n

6.2.2 Flood warnings issued and number of properties registered for them

\n\n

Being prepared helps reduce the impacts of flooding and enables faster recovery. We encourage people to register for our free flood warning service. Alerts and warnings enable the public to take action to protect themselves and their possessions. Our flood warning service covers:

\n\n\n\n

The flood warning service does not cover surface water flooding. LLFAs are responsible for flooding from surface water.

\n\n

As of March 2022, there were over 1.54 million properties registered to receive free flood warnings. This includes phone numbers registered in areas at risk from flooding that are automatically opted-in.

\n\n

6.2.3 Flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings issued

\n\n

Between April 2021 to March 2022, we issued:

\n\n\n\n

Find out what to do in a flood and what the different types of warnings mean.

\n\n

Table 8: number of flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Month and YearNumber of Flood AlertsNumber of Flood WarningsNumber of Severe Flood Warnings
April 2021364  
May 202110312  
June 2021837  
July 2021968  
August 2021293  
September 2021283  
October 2021423125  
November 202120352  
December 202136566  
January 202215831  
February 202252233614 
March 2022836  
\n\n

Table 9: comparison of flood alerts, flood warnings and severe flood warnings issued 1 April to 31 March each year between 2012 and 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
YearsNumber of flood alertsNumber of flood warningsNumber of severe flood warnings
2012 to 20134527209315
2013 to 201438321897147
2014 to 201521543430
2015 to 201634321285103
2016 to 2017203749625
2017 to 201822634210
2018 to 201918443660
2019 to 20204834245527
2020 to 20212843117610
2021 to 2022212965314
\n\n

6.2.4 Messages sent

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022 we sent 4,935,396 messages to the public, partners and the media. These messages informed them of flooding in their area and the flood warning service they can receive. This includes messages sent via text, email and automated telephone call.

\n\n

Table 10: number of messages sent for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Month and yearTotal number of messages sent and attempts to send
April 2021155,831
May 2021207,792
June 2021185,794
July 2021206,587
August 202183,387
September 2021119,307
October 2021681,851
November 2021448,394
December 2021642,887
January 2022443,217
February 20221,492,385
March 2022267,964
\n\n

Table 11: comparison of messages sent 1 April to 31 March each year between 2012 and 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
YearNumber of messages sent
2012 to 20135,737,247
2013 to 20146,265,909
2014 to 20152,492,965
2015 to 20165,145,689
2016 to 20172,710,342
2017 to 20184,403,657
2018 to 20192,987,759
2019 to 202010,713,780
2020 to 20216,882,140
2021 to 20224,935,396
\n\n

6.3 Flood risk information service

\n\n

Between April 2021 and March 2022, we continued to improve the 3 main flood risk information services on GOV.UK.

\n\n

These are:

\n\n\n\n

Table 12: flood information/check for flooding service user totals each year from 1 January to 31 December between 2018 and 2022

\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
YearTotal number of usersTotal page views
20181.6 million18 million
20195.0 million48 million
20206.2 million65 million
20213.2 million37.3 million
\n\n

In October 2021 we launched a new version of the flood information service on GOV.UK. The check for flooding service has a new platform and design. It addresses user feedback on flood warnings, river and sea level information and the 5-day flood forecast. These improvements make it easier for users to find the information they need. It is more accessible and optimised for mobile devices.

\n\n

New and improved features include:

\n\n\n\n
Case study 5: Check for flooding
\n\n

We launched our new Check for Flooding service in October 2021. This was a replacement for the previous Flood Information Service which had been running since 2015.

\n\n

Check for flooding will:

\n\n\n\n

We used feedback from users of the previous service to develop Check flood flooding.

\n\n

The new service:

\n\n\n\n

We have developed a new location page which brings together all relevant information for the location the user has entered. It also means that any calls to action are clear and helps users find more information if they need it.

\n\n

6.4 FCERM Research and Development Programme

\n\n

The FCERM Research and Development Programme is run by:

\n\n\n\n

The programme is divided into 3 themes. These are:

\n\n\n\n

The programme provides research, information, tools and techniques. It ensures we use high quality science to inform policy and practice.

\n\n

As well as running our own projects our researchers work in partnership with industry, academia and other agencies. In March 2021, the FCERM research and development programme launched a dedicated webpage on GOV.UK

\n\n

6.5.1 Research publication highlights

\n\n

In April 2021 we published evidence to better understand adaptive approaches to flood and coastal risk management. This research is helping us to explore the benefits of adaptive approaches and how to implement them in flood and coastal erosion risk management.

\n\n

In May 2021, we published a review of the evidence behind carbon offsetting. This will help us understand which carbon offsetting approaches we may want to focus on when developing our offsetting strategy.

\n\n

The recommendations from our review of how flooding information is used in spatial planning have already been used to:

\n\n\n\n

In January 2022 we presented a webinar giving an overview of our research which assessed the effectiveness of flood and coastal erosion risk governance in England and Wales. The findings will be valuable for informing the implementation of the latest national FCERM strategies.

\n\n

webinar

\n\n

In March 2022 we published a roadmap and action plan that sets out a vision for flood hydrology in the UK for the next 25 years. It is accompanied by an action plan that details how that vision will be achieved.

\n\n

6.5 International learning

\n\n

We have strong links with several international organisations and agencies. We develop and maintain valued relationships with many of our international partners.

\n\n

These include the:

\n\n\n\n

We have non-legal memoranda of understanding to support these relationships.

\n\n

We have actively engaged with these organisations for many years. We exchange knowledge and technical expertise in flood and coastal risk management. The topics and issues covered include:

\n\n\n\n

We have played an important role in developing the International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) for Flood Risk Management. The process of developing these guidelines began in 2016. The project was initiated and led by the USACE.

\n\n

On the 16 September 2021, the guide was launched via YouTube, with over 700 live viewers. The NNBF Guidelines have been downloaded nearly 5,000 times since then.

\n\n

We are a partner in the Living Lab Hedwige-Prosperpolder. The Polder 2Cs project, which started in January 2020, is undertaking full scale tests on decommissioned flood defence embankments on the Dutch-Belgian border. The projects tests resilience standards and emergency response procedures. Some of the results are available in the Polder 2Cs project videos.

\n\n

We continue to share knowledge and best practice on flood and coastal risk through events and partnerships. This includes our response to incidents through the Incident Learning Partnership.

\n\n

7. Looking ahead

\n\n

This section lists some of the activities that we, government and other RMAs will be carrying out beyond April 2022.

\n\n

Flood Re changes

\n

Government supports affordable and accessible flood insurance for homeowners through the Flood Re scheme. New regulations took effect in April 2022 which will allow Flood Re to pay claims from insurers which include an amount for resilient repair (Build-Back-Better) up to a value of £10,000. This is over and above the cost for like-for-like reinstatement of actual flood damage.

\n\n

Benefits of 2015 to 2021 capital programme

\n

Government published an assessment of the benefits of the 2015 to 2021 capital programme in April 2022. The programme was completed on time and within budget whilst also managing the impacts of significant winter storm events and the Coronavirus pandemic.

\n\n

\nFCERM strategy roadmap to 2026

\n

The Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Action Plan 2021 was replaced by a new FCERM Strategy roadmap in May 2022. This roadmap will contain practical actions to achieves the ambitions in the FCERM strategy.

\n\n

Climate change allowances

\n

An update to the climate change allowances was published in May 2022. This update will improve understanding of how climate change will affect surface water flood risk.

\n\n

Frequently flooded allowance

\n

Government announced its plans for a Frequently Flooded Allowance in July 2022. This allowance will improve access to public funding for communities where 10 or more properties have flooded twice or more in the last 10 years.

\n\n

Updated planning guidance

\n

Government published updated planning guidance in August 2022. This will help councils take flood risk and coastal change policy into consideration and make more informed decisions on whether a new development should go ahead.

\n\n

National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) surface water flooding review

\n

The NIC published the findings of its review on effective approaches to the management of surface water flooding in England in November 2022.

\n\n

\nNFM programme evaluation

\n

We published the final evaluation of the NFM programme in December 2022. This explains the benefits of NFM including a series of lessons learnt from the pilot programme.

\n\n

Flood risk management plans

\n

We published the updated flood risk management plans in December 2022.

\n\n

Review of schedule 3 of the FWMA\n

\n

Government published the results of a review into schedule 3 of the FWMA 2010 in January 2023. Schedule 3 relates to sustainable drainage systems.

\n\n

Property flood resilience technical training

\n

We are developing property flood resilience technical training. This training will focus on the different components of the PFR code of practice. It will follow on from the foundation training that is already available and is due at the start of 2023.

\n\n

Review of statutory responsibilities for asset maintenance

\n

Government has commissioned a review of the statutory powers and responsibilities to manage and maintain assets, across all flood risks (rivers, sea, surface water and groundwater) and coastal erosion. This is due to be completed in March 2024.

\n\n

Shoreline management plan explorer

\n

We are working on a new SMP Explorer. The SMP Explorer will provide regularly updated SMP information in digital map format. This will help users to understand the maps.

\n\n

Flood risk assessment standing advice

\n

Flood risk assessment standing advice is also being prepared to provide greater clarity. This will reflect changes to the NPPF published in July 2021. We use this standing advice to take a risk-based approach to the advice we provide on planning applications.

\n\n
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