The three London areas most at risk from flooding

"The research, conducted by insurance firm Aviva, found that estuary cities such as London, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol faced a double threat because rising seas amplify tidal surges and river flows peak more often. It also found that older, densely developed areas such as London could be hotspots for surface water flooding, because roads, driveways, pavements and buildings prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground."

"London was also identified as in particularly acute danger of subsidence, the sinking of the ground beneath a property. Many cases of subsidence occur on clay-rich soils that expand when wet and shrink when dry. This natural shrink-swell' cycle can shift the ground beneath homes, roads, and critical infrastructure, weakening foundations and causing costly structural damage, the report said. The danger is particularly acute in regions where soil composition, building design, and weather patterns intersect and reinforce one another, for example, in London."

Estuary cities such as London, Liverpool, Cardiff and Bristol face a double threat as rising seas amplify tidal surges and increase river flow peaks. Older, densely developed urban areas, including London, are hotspots for surface water flooding because impermeable surfaces prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. London is at acute risk of subsidence where clay-rich soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, causing a shrink-swell cycle that shifts ground, weakens foundations and damages structures. Rising temperatures, increased urbanisation and inadequate drainage will put millions more properties at risk and raise average household flood costs around £30,000. Bermondsey and Old Southwark are identified as the UK region most at risk by 2050.

Read at www.standard.co.uk