2009-05-06

By Editor, CIR

A blueprint to ensure that flood insurance remains available to business risks in vulnerable areas has been published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The ABI says that local authorities should be legally responsible for addressing the issue of surface water flooding and producing suitable water management plans.

Strong national leadership on flood management should also be created, with the Environment Agency having a statutory duty to reduce flood risk, says the ABI.

The Agency should work in partnership with local authorities on flood resilient and resistant measures to help businesses in high-risk locations that are difficult to defend from flooding.

The ABI also wants the government's final Flood and Water Management Bill to adopt a new approach to flood risk management, including regulating reservoirs, and community action to help reduce flood risk and to assist homeowners and businesses most exposed to flooding.

Stephen Haddrill, the ABI's director general, said: "The draft Flood and Water Management Bill is a vital first step towards implementing the recommendations of the Pitt Review to make homeowners in England and Wales safer from flooding.

"We need a rapid political consensus to deliver reform. We urge all parties to work together, to ensure that this Bill delivers better flood protection to the millions of homeowners and businesses at risk of flooding in England and Wales."

He added that a long-term funding strategy was "essential in ensuring that flood insurance remains widely available."

Earlier this year the ABI published guidelines for developers aimed at making homes and commercial premises as floodproof as possible.

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