How local communities can reduce flood risk
- robball6
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
As well as the many other road-related challenges faced by local authorities is the need to increase the resilience of their networks in the face of climate change. A new publication from construction research and information organisation CIRIA, published last week, suggests a new way to help tackle some of the issues that can lead to flooding.
Given the recent bouts of heavy rain around the country, CIRIA’s guidance could not be more timely. Guidance on enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management (C821F) provides practical advice for community groups on maintaining watercourses, drainage, and flood defences, and for risk management authorities (RMAs) - lead local flood authorities, water companies, national and local highways authorities, internal drainage boards, district councils, water companies and the Environment Agency.
Heavy rainfall following on from extended dry periods, such as we have experienced over the past week, is particularly problematic as dust, debris and litter are washed into gulleys, drains and culverts. Sometimes the sheer volume of water causes roads to flood; sometimes blockages cause or exacerbate the problem.
Weather extremes are now the norm, according to scientists. The latest State of the UK Climate report, published on 13 July 2025, shows that the number of hot days in the UK has increased dramatically over the past few decades, as have months where counties are experiencing record amounts of rainfall.
Met Office climate scientist and lead author of the State of the UK Climate report, Mike Kendon, said in a press release: “Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago. We are now seeing records being broken very frequently as we see temperature and rainfall extremes being the most affected by our changing climate.”
Among the maintenance activities that the CIRIA guide sets out and explains are removing debris and litter from gullies, grilles and screens and clearing blockages from pipes and culverts, drainage pump covers and gully pot screens. It also covers vegetation management on land and in water and rehabilitation activities for areas such as watercourses and embankments.
The guide comes in three parts: one for community groups, one for risk management authorities and one for policy makers and can be downloaded free from CIRIA’s website (link below). As well as specific information about different assets and the relevant maintenance activities, the guide also includes health and safety guidance and advice on how to set up community groups.
Guidance on enabling community maintenance for local flood risk management was sponsored by the Environment Agency, Flood Re, Hillingdon Council, Network Rail, Severn Trent, Thames Regional flood and Coastal Committee and Thames Water. Several local authorities sat on the steering group for the creation of the guide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thermal Road Repairs: Decarbonising the asphalt repair industry
High output. Low emission. Zero waste. Permanent solution.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
Comments