7 Warning Signs England’s Flood Defences Are Failing
England faces failing flood defences as 7 major warning signs reveal rising risks during Storm Bram. Communities battle danger while repair efforts lag behind.
A new analysis has revealed that thousands of flood defenses built to protect many homes and businesses in England were below the required condition at the start of winter.
6,498 "high-consistency" defenses were among nearly 8,500 that were not fully functional due to erosion, damage, or overgrowth.
According to exclusive data as of October 20, approximately 9% of the 98,000 defenses inspected by the Environment Agency were in poor condition.
Although the Department for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs says record levels of investment in the defense network since 2024 have improved the condition, significant variations remain by area.
More than 40% of flood defenses in North Tyneside, Brentwood in Essex, and Hart in Hampshire were below standard—the highest in the country. Record rainfall and storm surges have left more than a fifth of all defences along the Thames Corridor, which runs through parts of Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Greater London, unable to meet the required requirements.
Storm Bram brought strong winds and heavy rain to the UK on Tuesday, prompting dozens of flood warnings.
Flooding was reported on parts of the M66 in York, Greater Manchester, and riverside roads in Devon and Cornwall, disrupting train services.
Flood defences in England range from man-made walls, embankments, and storm drains to natural high ground.
The Environment Agency inspects almost all defences intended to prevent river water from spreading into vulnerable towns and cities.
Dave Throop, the Environment Agency's former area manager for the Midlands, said, "Any flood defence that is not operating at its maximum efficiency is a cause for concern." "It's hard to say why this is happening. Is it a lack of funding? Or is it the deterioration of these flood defences due to several very large flood events over the last three or four years? It's very difficult to separate."
The data shows the enormous challenge facing the government's repair work, with ministers pledging £2.65 billion over two years to build and repair more than 1,000 flood defences across England.
During its regular inspections, the Environment Agency gives flood defences a condition score out of five. This is then measured against a target score that reflects the required condition.
Defences can be weakened due to cracks and leaks. Sometimes vegetation can grow on them or, in the case of drains and sewers, they can become blocked.
The Environment Agency said that defences can function properly despite being in poor condition.
Flood Minister Emma Hardy said the Labour government inherited flood defences in "the worst condition ever" after "years of underinvestment."
She said: "Our immediate response was to invest £108 million in maintenance and repairs. But this is just the beginning.
"We are investing at least £10.5 billion – the largest programme ever – in flood defences by 2036. This will create new defences and repair assets across the country, protecting our communities for decades to come."
The Environment Agency's long-term target is for only 2% of its high-consistency defences to be below target condition. Currently, this figure is around 9%.
In recent years, there have been several high-profile flood defence failures.
In 2019, when the Steeping River near Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, broke, more than 600 homes were evacuated. An official report found that an embankment built in 1968 collapsed, even though the Environment Agency was aware of its weaknesses.
The agency maintains only a third of the defences it regularly inspects. Another third is maintained by private individuals,companies, or charities. The rest is mostly the responsibility of local councils.
"We had no choice but to do something"
Katie Anderson looks directly at the camera – her hair is brown He has blonde highlights and is wearing a dark winter coat. Behind him is a housing estate, with a winding footpath bordered on either side by grass.
In January, difficult flood protection duties nearly devastated an area of Leicestershire.
Residents of the Grange Park Estate in Loughborough say they had to dig their own flood protection when a private pond built to protect their homes overflowed.
This large pit is designed to store floodwater, but residents have expressed concern about its capacity during heavy storms. It filled to the brim in January when heavy rains lashed the county, sending water rushing toward their front doors.
William H. Davis Homes, which owned the pond at the time, said a blockage on neighboring land was the cause—but worried residents say they didn't have time to grapple with the web of responsibility while the water was moving.
In near-freezing cold, about 30 people dug trenches in the green space outside their homes to divert the water.
Engineer Katie Anderson helped with the work.
"If everyone hadn't worked together, I don't even want to think what could have happened," she said.
There was confusion about who to contact for help. Katie says calls to her water company, Severn Trent, the Borough Council, and the developer yielded no results, and time was running out.
She added, "They all said it wasn't their problem."
The pond was formally adopted by Charnwood Borough Council in October—but no upgrades have yet been made to increase its capacity.
A council spokesperson said that initial investigations showed the drainage system was working "as expected." They added that an independent survey was underway and any recommendations from it would be considered.
Meanwhile, Katie said she would be prepared to take matters into her own hands again if floodwaters threatened to reach her home.
The Environment Agency said that wetter winters are making flood defence repairs more difficult than ever.
Six of the 10 wettest winter half-years (October to March) ever recorded for England and Wales occurred in the 21st century.
Last winter, the UK was hit by six storms. Of these, Storms Bert and Conal caused severe flooding in England during November.
The Thames corridor was most affected in the past two winters. The Environment Agency says it has repaired many of the most vulnerable protection systems, but many remain below their required condition, most of which are maintained by third parties.
"We have some percentages here - but that doesn't tell us exactly what would happen if each of these flood protection systems failed," she said, explaining that a protection system like the Thames Barrier was more important than a piece of natural high ground near a small drain. Similarly, some protection measures may be in good condition, but they may not have been designed effectively from the outset. She said that floodwaters were already overflowing protection measures built five years ago.
Professor Cloke said the government needs to invest in "catchment management" schemes that limit the speed of rainwater entering river systems.
These include planting trees or creating holes and hollows in the ground, but these are often hampered because a large part of the river's catchment is on private land.
He added, "We can maintain our flood defences, we can try to protect properties, but in reality, if we can stop the rain where it falls, it can really help ensure that floodwaters don't flow downstream."
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "Protecting communities in England from the devastating effects of flooding is our top priority – which is more important than ever as climate change brings more extreme weather.
"Every year, we complete up to 165,000 inspections of flood-prone properties across the country and have recently invested £108 million in repairs and maintenance. This will help ensure the strongest protection for surrounding communities."
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