Havering Local Flood Risk

Management Strategy

2015

Contents Contents ........................................................................................ 2

Foreword ....................................................................................... 5

Introduction .................................................................................... 6

Structure of Strategy................................................................................ 6 Review of the Strategy............................................................................. 7 Annual Plans ........................................................................................... 7 Guiding principles .................................................................................... 7 Objectives of Strategy.............................................................................. 8

Legislative Context ......................................................................10

History of Flood Risk Management in Havering .................................... 10 Recent drivers and legislation ............................................................... 10 The National Strategy for Coastal and Erosion Risk Management ........ 14

Nature of Flood Risk in Havering ................................................17

Overview of Havering ............................................................................ 17 Types of Flood Risk .............................................................................. 18 Factors increasing flood risk .................................................................. 22 Information available on flood risk ......................................................... 22

Powers and Responsibilities of Stakeholders .............................24

Powers and responsibilities of Risk Management Authorities .................... 24 Powers and responsibilities of London Borough of Havering .................... 25

Lead Local Flood Authority .................................................................................25

SuDS Approval Body ..........................................................................................30

Emergency Planning ...........................................................................................31

Highways Authority .............................................................................................32

Historical Environment1 ......................................................................................33

Planning Authority ...............................................................................................34

Additional responsibilities of Borough Councils.......................................... 35

Responsibilities under the Land Drainage Act 1991 ...........................................35

Responsibilities as a Planning Authority .............................................................35

Responsibilities for maintenance of public spaces ..............................................36

Responsibilities as an Emergency Planning authority .........................................37

Powers and responsibilities of Water Companies…………………………..37

Water Supply Companies (Essex & Suffolk Water .............................................38

Water and Sewerage Companies (Thames and Anglian Water) ........................38

Powers and responsibilities of Environment Agency ..................................40

National Strategic Role .......................................................................................40

Local Operational Role .......................................................................................41

Main Rivers .........................................................................................................41

Coastal Flooding .................................................................................................41

Reservoirs ...........................................................................................................42

Coastal Erosion Risk Management Authority ......................................................42

Emergency Planning ...........................................................................................42

Planning process ................................................................................................42

Powers and responsibilities of Businesses and Household .......................42

Utility and Infrastructure Providers ............................................................ 42 Property owners and residents ...........................................................................43

Riparian Owners .................................................................................................44

Responsibilities of Communities ...............................................................44

Reporting flood incidents ........................................................................... 44

Helping residents to be aware of and manage the risk to their household 45

Community Emergency Self-Help Plans ................................................... 45

Actions to improve flood risk in Havering ....................................46

Borough-wide Strategic Actions ..................................................47

Improve understanding of local flood risk ..............................................47

Proactive measures ............................................................................................47

Recording and reporting flood incidents..............................................................48

Adapt spatial planning policy to reflect local flood risk ...............................49

Introduction of a robust SuDS framework ...........................................................50

Inclusion of local flood risk concerns in SFRAs ..................................................51

Provision of new guidance via National Planning Policy Framework ................. 52

Raise community awareness .....................................................................53

Establish working framework between Risk Management Authorities .......55

Havering Partnership for Flood Management .....................................................56

Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee .................................................56

Regional Flood and Coastal Committees ............................................................57

Internal & External Flood Group Structure………………………………………….58

Site specific, flood risk management actions .............................. 61

Encourage implementation of flood resilience measures and property

protection schemes ............................................................................... 61 Implement sustainable drainage and source control measures

Achieve wider environmental benefits ……………………………………….63

...................... 61 Manage overland flow paths.................................................................... 62 Review land management methods.......................................................... 62 Review asset management and maintenance methods................................ 63

Resource management ............................................................... 64

Public Funding...................................................................................... 65 Private Funding..................................................................................... 69 Other Sources of Funding....................................................................... 71

Environmental Objectives............................................................ 73

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Foreword Sir Michael Pitts’ review into the flooding of 2007 resulted into the introduction of the Flood & Water Management Act 2010 and the identification of Local Authorities within England and Wales as Lead Local Flood Authorities.

The role of the LLFA’s was to formalise the flood management and mitigation measures as well as introduce a risk management approach across a number of differing disciplines within Local Authorities including, Development & Planning, Transportation, Response and Resilience. As part of this Flood Management process the introduction of the following elements ensured there was a standardised approach with milestones that could be auditable and managed so aiding the whole concept of Flood Risk Management.

The elements included:-

a) Flood Risk Strategy; b) Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment; c) Surface Water Management Plan; d) Multi Agency Flood Response Plan. e) Flood Risk regulations (consultation for implementation in Dec 2015)

This foreword introduces the strategy of the London Borough of Havering as required by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the liaison that has been carried out as part of the Drain London Project and the Lead Local Flood Authority responsibilities for flood risk management.

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Introduction

The Havering Local Flood Risk Strategy is an important new tool to help understand and manage flood risk within the Borough.

It principally looks to tackle ‘local flood risk’, that is to say flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses such as ditches and streams. This type of flooding is responsible for most of the households flooded in England, but until now there has been little to address these forms of risk. The strategy will look to address this gap.

However, for those who suffer from flooding, it doesn’t matter what type of flooding it is, so this strategy also provides information about other forms of flooding and the organisations involved. It explains the powers and responsibilities of all the major organisations involved in flood risk and what householders and businesses need to do. It highlights and summarises all the work done on flooding in Havering so that this information is more easily accessible for those wishing to understand more about flood risk.

Flood risk management in Havering is entering a new stage marked by better knowledge of the risks in the Borough, improved co-operation between organisations involved in flood risk management and better communication with the public about those risks and what can be done. This strategy explains the steps to be taken to ensure this happens.

However the strategy doesn't cover all the actions that will be taking place to tackle flood risk over the next few years. Decisions about that will depend on information that is not currently available; information about where the risk is greatest and what funding can be attained. The strategy identifies broad actions that will need to take place over the next two years and the principle underlying future decisions.

The strategy will be supplemented by annual action plans which will be approved by the Havering's Flood Management Group. These will give a more detailed understanding of what will be taking place each year to manage flood risk in Havering.

Structure of the Strategy

The Strategy begins by stating its guiding principles and objectives which set its context. It continues with a history of how flood risk management has been organised in Havering and a summary of the legislation, explaining what laws dictate the work done to manage flood risk and the organisations involved.

There is then information on Havering’s level of flood risk. The strategy’s focus is on local flood risk. It provides details of this, explaining what information is available and what is currently unavailable. It also explains other types of flood risk, much of which is better known. This information is at a high level and should not be used as reference for any particular location.

The next section provides full detail on the responsibilities and powers of each of the organisations involved in flood risk management. This includes the responsibilities and powers of householders and businesses that may have a crucial role to play in managing flood risk.

Against this context the strategy provides information on possible actions. It identifies the countrywide actions that need to be taken. It also provides information and analysis about the types of more localised actions that are available. This will be used in future action plans in determining what actions are possible and appropriate to tackle localised flood issues.

Finally the strategy considers the resources available and how best to utilise them, including ensuring they meet our commitment to sustainable development.

Review of the Strategy

There are going to be substantial changes in the next few years with changes to the planning system, sustainable drainage requirements and the provision of flood insurance. There will also be innovations in the funding and design of flood prevention schemes and improvements in the knowledge of where the greatest flood risks lie.

So it makes sense for the first review of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to take place in the third quarter of 2015. After that the strategy should be able to be reviewed less frequently, at 3 yearly intervals, with the next review in 2018.

Annual Plans

To complement the Havering Strategy for Flood Risk Management, annual plans will be put before the Havering Flood Management Group [p68]. These will contain:

Latest information available about local flood risk, indicating where flood risk has decreased due to actions or where new information has changed prioritisation.

Actions required to meet the Flood Risk Regulations in the coming year. Projects which will be put forward to the Environment Agency for entry onto their

medium term plan. Actions from the Surface Water Management Plan which are aimed for delivery

over the next two years. Any other actions intended by Havering risk management authorities including the

Havering Borough Resilience Forum Risk Management Group or the SuDs Approving Body following adoption of this strategy.

Flooding risk assessments were reviewed by the HBRF Risk Advisory Group in June 2014 – next review 2016

The meeting to agree the annual plan will occur at the beginning of each financial year. All annual plans will need to comply with the principles laid out in the Havering Strategy for Flood Risk Management and the National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management. These annual plans ensure operations are joined up across the different stakeholders in the Borough. They will not be subject to public consultation but will identify through a robust risk assessment process the greatest risks within the Borough. This plan will be subject of deliberation by the environment overview and scrutiny committee.

Guiding Principles The following are the guiding principles for flood risk management in Havering:

1) Flood damage from surface runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses creates both public and private financial costs. Effective flood risk management can reduce long-term flood damage costs

2) Decisions on where local resources are focused should be evidence-based and made against clear criteria.

3) Improving the level of knowledge about flood risk across all stakeholders is a vital process which needs to be improved.

4) Neither LBH nor the EA are able to ensure that all households and businesses are safe from flooding. Householders and business holders have responsibility for protecting their own premises, but relevant public organisations have a duty to inform households of their risk and advise what steps they can take to make their property more resilient. EP Handbook in libraries and on the Havering website has guidance on flood protection.

5) Flooding is a natural event that will occur despite all efforts to prevent it. Hence it is important to focus as much on reducing the disruption that flooding causes as on measures to prevent it.

6) No single organisation can effectively manage flood risk across the whole of Havering, so co-operation among relevant public agencies is essential for the success of long-term comprehensive flood risk management.

7) New developments should aim not only to ensure that there is no increase in flood risk but that the existing flood risk levels are reduced.

8) The cumulative impact of small developments on flood risk is as significant as the impact of major developments, so both must be managed to ensure the threat of flood risk doesn’t grow.

Objectives of the Strategy The objectives of the strategy are as follows:

I. To provide a clear explanation of all stakeholder’s responsibilities in flooding issues.

II. To ensure a clear understanding of the risks of flooding from surface runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses.

III. To define and explain the criteria by which areas at risk from flooding are assessed and resources are prioritised.

IV. To state how risk management authorities will share information and resources.

V. To ensure households and properties are aware of the level of flood risk they face and the steps they will need to take to manage the risk.

VI. To set out clear and consistent plans for risk management so that communities and businesses can make informed decisions about the management of the residual risk.

VII. To ensure that planning decisions are properly informed by flooding issues and the impact future Development may have.

VIII. To encourage innovative management of flood and coastal erosion risks, taking account of the needs of communities and the environment.

IX. To ensure that emergency plans and responses to flood incidents are effective and that communities are able to respond properly to flood warnings.

Legislative Context History of flood risk management The responsibility for flood risk management within Havering has changed considerably over the past 50 years. Prior to 1989, the regulation of national environmental issues (including flood risk management, drainage and water quality) was carried out by ten Regional Water Authorities (RWAs). Havering came partly under the control of the Anglian Water Authority and partly Thames Water. These companies were set up after the enactment of the Water Act in 1973. In 1989 the National Rivers Authority (NRA) was set up. This national body took over the roles and responsibilities of all the individual RWAs.

In December 1991, a number of pieces of legislation were enacted which aimed to consolidate existing water legislation. Most relevant in terms of flood risk management was the Land Drainage Act, which outlined the duties and powers to manage land drainage for a number of bodies including internal drainage boards and Local Authorities, and the Water Resources Act, which outlined the roles and responsibilities of the National Rivers Authority. The Statutory Water Companies Act and the Water (Consequential Provisions) Act were also enacted at the same time.

The Environment Agency was established by the Environment Act in 1995. The Environment Agency came into existence on 1st April 1996 and took over the roles and responsibilities of the National Rivers Authority and also the responsibility for issuing flood warnings, a role previously held by the police. The management and operation of the Environment Agency is divided into a number of regions across the country; the London Borough of Havering falls across two regions, Anglian and Thames Region, so responsibility is split between both Environment Agency regional teams.

Within England and Wales, recent flood risk management policy changes were accelerated by major flood events in 1998 and 2000, which led to the release of Planning Policy Guidance 25 (PPG25): Development and Flood Risk in 2001. PPG25 aimed to strengthen development planning with regard to flood risk. Importantly, it was the first attempt to introduce sustainable surface water management into the planning process. Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25) superseded PPG25 in 2006 and reinforced the requirement for sustainable surface water management in new developments in England and Wales.

Recent drivers and legislation Following the extreme floods of 2007, the Pitt Review (2008) stressed the importance of implementing better legislation for the effective management of surface water, with increased responsibilities for upper tier local authorities such as London Borough of Havering. Many of the recommendations from the Pitt Review have been implemented through the Flood and Water Management Act (2010), which places a greater responsibility on upper tier local authorities, particularly for surface water management issues, under their new role as a Lead Local Flood Authority. A summary of key recent documents and legislation is included below.

The Pitt Review

Sir Michael Pitt carried out an independent review of national flood risk management practices after the widespread and catastrophic floods during the summer of 2007, in which over 50,000 households were affected and damages exceeded £4billion. The Pitt Review was published in June 2008 and called for urgent and fundamental changes to the way flood risk was being managed. The report contained 92 recommendations for the Government, local authorities, Local Resilience Forums and other stakeholders based around the concept of local authorities playing a major role in the management of local flood risk, by coordinating with all relevant agencies.

The Flood Risk Regulations (2009)

The Flood Risk Regulations came into force in December 2009 and transposed the EU Floods Directive into law for England and Wales. The Flood Risk Regulations require three main pieces of work for areas identified at being at significant risk of flooding. To address three main tasks across the 32 London Boroughs, a project known as Drain London was created to ensure a standardised approach of flood risk management was completed. These three main tasks were:

1. Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) – This involved collecting information on past and future floods from surface water, groundwater and small watercourses, assembling the information into a PFRA report and identifying Flood Risk Areas. The PFRA for the London Borough of Havering has already been completed, submitted to the Environment Agency and the completed document is available on the LBH website.

2. Flood Hazard and Flood Risk Maps – Following the identification of Flood Risk Areas, the Environment Agency and LB Havering are required to produce hazard and risk maps by 22nd December 2013.

3. Flood Risk Management Plans – The final stage is to produce a Flood Risk Management Plan by 22nd December 2015. It is likely that SWMPs undertaken in the area, as well as this Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, will contribute significantly to the preparation of a Flood Risk Management Plan for the whole of the Havering area. This plan has now been produced by the EA on behalf of LLFA and is now subject of public consultation.

The Flood and Water Management Act (2010)

The Flood & Water Management Act (FWMA) gained royal assent on the 8th April 2010 and provides legislation for the management of risks associated with flooding and coastal erosion. Many of the recommendations contained in the Pitt Review have been enacted through the Flood and Water Management Act.

The Act reinforces the need to manage flooding holistically and in a sustainable manner and places a number of roles and responsibilities on councils such as London Borough

of Havering, which is designated a Lead Local Flood Authority. The preparation of this Local Flood Risk Strategy is just one of the duties placed upon LB Havering under this piece of legislation. Other responsibilities are covered under Section 5.

The Act defines various bodies which are ‘risk management authorities’ and lists them as the following:

a Lead Local Flood Authority the Environment Agency a district council for an area for which there is no unitary authority an internal drainage board a water company a highway authority

National Planning Policy Framework

The National Planning Policy Framework introduced by Government in March 2012 is designed to streamline planning policy by substantially reducing the amount of planning guidance and bringing it all together in one coherent document. More information on the purpose of the National Planning Policy Framework can be found in the strategic actions under Adapt spatial planning policy to reflect local flood risk [p61]

Other Legislation

Flood Risk Management is affected by a range of other legislation and guidance. These

include:

The London Plan (2011) as amended

The Climate Change Act (2008)

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010)

The Civil Contingencies Act (2004)

The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive (2001)

The Land Drainage Act (1991)

The Water Framework Directive (WFD)

Thames Region Bye-laws TE 2100 – Thames Estuary 2100 plan – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/thames-estuary-2100-te2100 (pages 144-152 Rainham Marshes policy unit)

Figure 1 provides a summary of European, national, regional and local policies concerning flood and water management that are of relevance and importance to flood risk management within Havering. It also provides an overview of the linkages between legislation, policy and strategy documents that relate to flooding and the management of flood risk.

       

Figure 1 Overview of current flood risk management drivers and

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

The National Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires the Environment Agency to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England. The national strategy describes what needs to be done by all the authorities involved (including the Environment Agency, local authorities, internal drainage boards, water and sewerage companies and highways authorities) to reduce the likelihood of flooding and coastal erosion, and to manage their consequences. The National Strategy became a statutory document on 18th July 2011. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-flood-and-coastal-erosion-risk-management-strategy-for-england

The overall aim of the National FCERM Strategy for England is to ensure the risk of flooding and coastal erosion is properly managed by using the full range of options in a co-ordinated way. It is designed to support local decision-making and engagement in FCERM, making sure that risks are managed in a co-ordinated way across catchments and along the coast.

The National Strategy sets out strategic aims and objectives for managing flood and coastal erosion risks and the measures proposed to achieve them. It states that Government will work with individuals, communities and organisations to reduce the threat of flooding and coastal erosion by:

Understanding the risks of flooding and coastal erosion, working together to put in place long-term plans to manage these risks and making sure that other plans take account of them

Avoiding inappropriate development in areas of flood and coastal erosion risk and being careful to manage land elsewhere to avoid increasing risks

Building, maintaining and improving flood and coastal erosion management infrastructure and systems to reduce the likelihood of harm to people and damage to the economy, environment and society

Increasing public awareness of the risk that remains and engaging with people at risk to make their property more resilient

Improving the detection, forecasting and issue of warnings of flooding, planning for and co-ordinating a rapid response to flood emergencies and promoting faster recovery from flooding

Consistency between Local Strategies and the National Strategy

The Flood and Water Management Act states that Local Strategies must be consistent with the National Strategy. This means being consistent with the National Strategy's overall aims and objectives, and in particular its six ‘guiding principles’.

The guiding principles

Community focus and partnership working Risk management authorities need to engage with communities to help them understand the risks, and encourage them to have direct involvement in decision-making and risk management actions. Working in partnership to develop and implement local strategies will enable better sharing of information and expertise, and the identification of efficiencies in managing risk.

A catchment and coastal “cell” based approach In understanding and managing risk, it is essential to consider the impacts on other parts of the catchment or coast. Activities must seek to avoid passing risk on to others within the catchment or along the coast without prior agreement. In developing local strategies LLFAs should ensure that neighbouring LLFAs within catchments are involved in partnerships and decision making. Strategic plans such as Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) and Shoreline Management Plans (SMPs) should be used to help set strategic priorities for local strategies. In addition as part of the Drain London project the Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge form the Area 5 for the purposes of planning and liaison in respect of cross border flood risk. Additional liaison with the Essex areas of Brentwood and the Unitary authority of Thurrock is essential in order to maintain a ‘joined up’ approach to flood risk management and this strategy.

Sustainability LLFAs should aim to support communities by managing risks in ways that take account of all impacts of flooding (for instance on people, properties, cultural heritage, infrastructure and the local economy) and the whole-life costs of investment in risk management. Where possible, opportunities should be taken to enhance the environment and work with natural processes. Risk management measures should also be forward looking, taking account of potential risks that may arise in the future and being adaptable to climate change. Government guidance has been developed to set out the link between sustainable development and risk management to support the implementation of the strategy. This is covered in greater detail in Environmental Regulations [p87]

Proportionate, risk-based approaches It is not technically, economically or environmentally feasible to prevent all flooding and coastal erosion altogether. A risk-based management approach targets resources to those areas where they have greatest effect. All aspects of risk management, including the preparation and implementation of local strategies, should be carried out in a proportionate way that reflects the size and complexity of risk. The assessment of risk should identify where the highest risks are and therefore the priorities for taking action.

Multiple benefits As well as reducing the risks to people and property, FCERM can bring significant economic, environmental and social benefits. In developing and implementing local strategies, LLFAs should help deliver broader benefits by working with natural processes where possible and seeking to provide environmental benefit as required by the Habitats, Birds and Water Framework Directive. Measures such as the use of SUDS to manage risk should be considered as they can also deliver benefits for amenity, recreation, pollution reduction and water quality.

Beneficiaries should be allowed and encouraged to invest in local risk management The benefits achieved when flood and coastal erosion risks are managed can be both localised and private, through the protection of specific individuals, communities and businesses. In developing local strategies, LLFAs should consider opportunities to seek alternative sources of funding rather than relying on Government funds. This will enable more risk management activity to take place overall.

Nature of Flood Risk within Havering Overview of Havering The study area for this Flood Risk Strategy is defined by the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Havering. The geographical extent of the study area is illustrated in Figure 2

Figure 2: Map of the Borough boundaries for Havering

Havering Profile

Havering is London’s 3rd largest borough, covering an area of 11,235 hectares (43 square miles). 809 hectares are parks and open spaces, and 54% is green belt. The borough is bordered by the London Boroughs of Redbridge and Barking and Dagenham, Essex County and 3 miles/5 km of River Thames frontage. The borough is made up of several suburban towns, a regional shopping centre at Romford, and an even distribution of commercial and industrial premises generally located on estates and retail/office parks. There is one COMAH site (Flogas) located in Rainham.

There are several major trunk roads crossing the borough including the M25/A12/A13 and A127. The London Underground District line, C2C and National Rail lines all cross and have stations located within the borough, with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link passing through over ground.

The Rivers Rom, Ravensbourne and Ingrebourne run north-south across the borough towards the Thames, with the Rom joining the Beam at the Barking and Dagenham border. These rivers all feature on the EA Flood Map.

The population is approximately 237,232, with 88% being White British, 1.4% White Irish, 2.4% Other White and 8.3% Black and Minority Ethnic. Havering has the highest proportion of residents over 60 in London (27%) with 6% (0.4), 14% (5-15) and 53% (16-59). There are 100,230 households, the majority of which are privately owned. The Council house portfolio is predominantly housing, with some low and medium rise and 23 high rise residential blocks.

Health care is delivered through 1 major hospital, 1 local hospitals, a polyclinic and 3 health centres as well as GP surgeries. Education is provided through 89 schools and 2 colleges

Havering falls across the Thames River Basin District and is served by two water companies, Thames Water and Anglian Water. It is also served by two Environment Agency regions, Thames and Anglian regions. The Thames Region covers the majority of the Borough with Anglian only covering a small area as part of the Thurrock and Brentwood boundary areas.

Types of Flood Risk The nature of flood risk within Havering is extremely varied and is becoming a major issue across the Borough. There are a network of rivers and watercourses, combined with a number of suburban towns and green belt areas, which means it is at risk of flooding from a range of different sources.

The 2011 Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) for Havering Council highlighted records of a number of flood events across the Borough over the previous years. It also highlighted the number of surface water flooding events over the past 10 years which could be attributable to the changes in climate and infrastructure of the Borough. The main sources of flood risk within Havering include:

Surface water flooding, also known as pluvial flooding or flash flooding, is usually associated with high intensity rainfall events (typically greater than 30mm/hr) and can be exacerbated when the ground is saturated or when the drainage network has insufficient capacity to cope with the additional flow. Until recently, the risk from surface water was poorly understood, with little information available about the mechanisms of surface water flooding and the associated risks.

Based on information collected as part of the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment, Havering has nearly 19,000 properties predicted to be affected by shallow surface water flooding (deeper than 0.1m) during an extreme rainfall event (with a probability of 1 in 200). This risk is spread across the Borough. The Havering Surface Water Management Plan completed as part of the drain London project has identified a number of Critical Drainage Areas (CDA’s)

Figure 3 below identifies the Critical Drainage Areas which were identified as part of the Drain London project and included within the surface water management plan. Although the CDA’s are identified the prioritisation of those areas of particular risk into high/medium/low risk is an ongoing assessment process ensuring that available funding is secured to focus upon the area where properties are most vulnerable.

Surface water flooding can be potentially exacerbated when there is a tide-locked situation. The drainage system primarily owned and operated by Thames Water can become overwhelmed with torrential rain so reducing its ability to cope with the drainage requirements to discharge into watercourses. The need to work with partners in order to ensure a rigorous maintenance regime is in place to mitigate the potential of this growing type of flood event.

CDA 005 Ardleigh Green East

CDA 013 West Romford

CDA 014 River Rom and Beam River

CDA 015 Havering Park

CDA 016 Rise Park West

CDA 017 Rise Park

CDA 018 Cranham

CDA 019 Ardleigh Green

CDA 023 Elm Park

CDA 024 Hornchurch

CDA 025 Gallows Corner

CDA 026 Harold Hill North

CDA 030 Hacton

CDA 032 Corbets Tey

CDA 034 Thames

CDA 035 Upminister

CDA 036 Ingrebourne

CDA 037 River Ravensbourne

CDA 038 Heath Park North

CDA 039 Heath Park South

CDA 040 Harold Hill South

CDA 042 Clay Tye

CDA 043 Havering-atte-Bower

Surface Water only: LLFA direct responsibility as Surface Water derived risk

Surface Water with Main River interaction: Combined Surface Water risk areas of mutual responsibility between LLFA and a partner, where overarching lead sits with a partner

Main River with Surface Water interaction: LLFA acts as secondary partner where the lead responsibility lies with another organisation as main risk is not Surface Water derived

Groundwater flooding occurs when water levels within the ground rise above the ground surface. Flooding of this type tends to occur after long periods of sustained heavy rainfall and can last for weeks or even months. The areas at most risk are often low-lying where the water table is more likely to be at a shallow depth and flooding can be experienced through water rising up from an underlying aquifer or from water flowing from springs. The Havering PFRA has identified areas susceptible to groundwater flooding across the Borough; this information will be used to assist with the prioritisation of flood risk areas within this document.

River flooding, also known as fluvial flooding, occurs when a watercourse cannot accommodate the volume of water that is flowing into it. Rivers are categorised into main rivers and ordinary watercourses. Main rivers are usually large watercourses but also include smaller watercourses of strategic drainage importance. The Environment Agency’s powers to carry out flood defence works apply to main rivers only. All other smaller watercourses, ditches and streams are classified as ordinary watercourses. Havering has a number of main

rivers and associated tributaries including the River Rom, River Ingrebourne, River Ravensbourne and River Beam in addition to the vast network of ordinary watercourses.

Coastal flooding usually occurs during storm surges when there is an increased risk of high sea levels causing overtopping or breaching coastal flood defences leading to flooding inland. The greatest risk of coastal flooding is experienced when there is a combination of high tides and a storm surge, which is when a low pressure system causes a localised rise in sea level and wave height. Havering has no direct coastline although the River Thames in the south of the Borough is tidal and can be affected by any North Sea surge up to and including the Thames Estuary.

Reservoir flooding results from the complete or partial failure of a reservoir structure. It may be caused by erosion due to seepage, overtopping of the dam beyond its design level or through accidental damage to the structure. There are no large open reservoirs in Havering that could pose a threat however, there is an enclosed reservoir owned and operated by Essex & Suffolk Water. Reservoir failure is extremely rare.

Sewer flooding occurs when the sewer network cannot cope with the volume of water that is entering it or when pipes within the network become blocked. This type of flooding is often experienced during times of heavy rainfall when large amounts of surface water overwhelm the sewer network causing flooding. Water Utility ‘DG5’1 registers show a total of 464 flood events reported by water companies over the last decade. These events have not been georeferenced, so the spatial distribution is unknown; however, it is anticipated that greater risk will be within heavily urbanised areas.

Highway flooding can be defined as flooding caused by heavy rainfall or overflowing from blocked drains and gullies causing water to pond within the highway network. During the PFRA process, highway flooding reports were collected from around 150 different locations and this data is included in the overall evidence base of flood information.

1 A water-company held register of properties which have experienced sewer flooding due to hydraulic overload, or properties which are 'at risk' of sewer flooding more frequently than once in 20 years.

Figure 4: Responsibility for forms of flooding

Surface Groundwater Ordinary

Main Rivers Reservoir Flooding Coastal Highway Flooding

Factors increasing flood risk Flood risk is a combination of probability and consequence; as there are a number of factors which will lead to higher probability of flooding in the future and more serious potential consequences, this will result in an increase in the risk of flooding across Havering.

The factors leading to an increase in flood risk include:

It is predicted that climate change will lead to more frequent and more severe extreme weather and therefore to more extreme floods with more serious consequences;

Over time deterioration in the condition and performance of existing drainage infrastructure and flood defence structures will increase future flood risk;

New development and changes in land use will lead to an increase in impermeable surfaces and therefore cause increased levels of runoff during heavy rainfall events;

Development may also lead to deforestation and general loss of vegetation cover, also causing increased levels of runoff during heavy rainfall events; and

Damage to higher value property and contents will lead to increased cost of damages.

Information available on flood risk A variety of publically available documents identify flood risk within Havering.

These include:

The Havering Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment

The Havering Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

The Havering Multi-agency Flood Plan

The Thames Catchment Flood Management Plan

The Havering Surface Water Management Plan

The Emergency Planning Handbook

https://www.havering.gov.uk/Documents/Emergencies/emergency-planning-handbook.pdf

The Havering Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment

The Havering Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment was published in November 2011 to meet the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 [p10]. The PFRA provides a high level overview of flood risk from local flood sources, including surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses. It combines modelling of rainfall events produced by the Environment Agency with locally collected information to explain the local flood risk across the whole of the Borough.

Flood risk data and records of historic flooding were collected from different local and national sources including Havering Council services as well as the previous Havering Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

(2007), the Environment Agency, water companies, emergency services and other key stakeholders, in order to develop a clear overall understanding of the flood risk across Havering. Information relating to flood events, caused by flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses, was collected and analysed, although comprehensive details on flood extents and consequences during these events was largely unavailable.

There is a large variation in the number of recorded historical flood events within the Borough council. However, this variation is most likely to be due to differences between different departments and agencies in recording and storing flood event data, and should not be taken as a representation of the range in frequency or severity of flood risk across the Havering Council administrative area. Because of these discrepancies, the information from the PFRA should be considered as indicative and will be added and improved upon. It will be used as the basis for identifying the areas at greatest surface water flood risk, a process that will be refreshed every year to inform the annual plan.

The Environment Agency have used a national methodology, which has been set out by DEFRA, to identify indicative Flood Risk Areas across England. Out of the ten indicative flood risk areas that have been identified nationally, London as a whole (covered by the 32 London Boroughs and the Corporation of London administrative boundary) was identified as a single

https://www.havering.gov.uk/Documents/Emergencies/emergency-planning-handbook.pdf

risk area prompting the Drain London Project managed by the GLA with input from representatives across each of the individual council areas. The Drain London project resulted in all of the Boroughs being divided into groups where flood risk areas were connected. This meant that the project could identify cross Borough liaison and partnership working to address inter-related issues. Location within the Indicative Flood Risk Area does not necessarily mean that flood risk is higher. The Flood Risk Regulations require additional responsibility to be undertaken within the Indicative Flood Risk Area.

The Thames Catchment Flood Management Plan

The Thames CFMP covers a large area from the Cotswolds to the Thames Estuary including Havering. The Plan identifies the Ingrebourne and Beam as the two significant rivers within Havering.

Powers and Responsibilities of Stakeholders This section provides fuller information about the powers and responsibilities of stakeholders. However it doesn’t only do this. Flood risk management is not something that can be left solely in the hands of certain organisations and forgotten by everyone else. Households and businesses still have their part to play. Even if this strategy was being devised at a time of substantial public sector budgets, these organisations would still not be able to prevent all floods or solve all concerns. That is why the powers and responsibilities of householders and businesses are also highlighted.

Powers and responsibilities of Risk Management Authorities

The Flood and Water Management Act identified certain organisations as ‘Risk management authorities’ which have responsibilities around flooding. This means new ones identified by the Flood and Water Management and longstanding ones covered by previous legislation.

The Risk Management Authorities in Havering are:

Highways Agency Thames Water Anglia Water The Environment Agency (Anglian and South Eastern Offices) TFL

All of these authorities have the following duties and power:

Duty to be subject to scrutiny from lead local flood authorities’ democratic processes. Duty to co-operate with other risk management authorities in the exercise of their flood

and coastal erosion risk management functions, including sharing flood risk management data.

Power to take on flood and coastal erosion functions from another risk management authority when agreed by both sides

All risk management authorities have a duty to be subject to scrutiny from the Lead Local Flood Authorities’ democratic processes. The key partnership is the Havering Internal Flood Management Group made up of the appropriate services within the Council. In addition the External Flood Group, made up of Partners would be consulted in respect of flood risk

management. The flooding responsibility will be primarily reported through to Havering's Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Co-operation with other risk management authorities includes the following:

Membership of the Thames Regional Flood & Coastal Committee within which an elected member of one Council represents the Boroughs of Havering, Barking & Dagenham and Redbridge.

Discuss with other councils before designating structures and features to ensure consistency

Report flooding incidents to the StreetCare Flood Risk Engineer on a monthly basis Report flood assets, as defined by agreed criteria, as and when they are revealed to

Officers Assist with Flood Investigation Reports where appropriate Provide local knowledge to SuDS Approval Officers regarding applications in their area. Ensure that members of the public who are trying to contact another organisation are

swiftly put through to the appropriate organisation Easy sharing of information and data

This list is not exhaustive but if there is any dispute about whether an activity can reasonably be expected from a Flood Risk Management Authority, the issue will be brought to the Havering Flood Management Group. The duties outlined are within the responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Powers and Responsibilities of London Borough of Havering London Borough of Havering has a range of different roles that are important for flood risk management. These include acting as:

Lead Local Flood Authority

SuDS Approval Board – to be implemented 6th April 2015

Emergency Planning

Highways Authority

Historical and Natural Environment

Planning Authority

Lead Local Flood Authority The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 identified London Borough of Havering as the Lead Local Flood Authority for its administrative area. This gave Havering a strategic role in overseeing the management of local flood risk i.e. flood risk from surface water runoff, groundwater and ordinary watercourses such as streams and ditches.

The responsibilities of Havering as a Lead Local Flood Authority are:

Development, maintenance, application and monitoring of a strategy for local flood risk management in the jurisdiction of the lead local flood authority;

Strategic leadership of local risk management authorities. It is recommended that this is done through the formation of a local flood partnership between lead local flood authorities and other risk management authorities;

Powers to request information from any person in connection with the authority’s flood and coastal erosion risk management functions;

A duty to investigate and publish reports on flooding incidents in its area (where appropriate or necessary) to identify which authorities have relevant flood risk management functions and what they have done or intend to do;

A duty to maintain a register of structures or features (asset register) which, in the view of the lead local flood authority, have a significant effect on flood risk in their area;

Responsibilities as a Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS) Approval Body (SAB) for approval, adoption and maintenance of new SuDS developments;

Decision making responsibility for whether third party works on ordinary watercourses by third parties that may affect water flow can take place (internal drainage boards will still have this role on ordinary watercourses in their system);

A duty to exercise flood or coastal erosion risk management functions in a manner consistent with national and local strategies;

A duty to aim to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the exercise of flood or coastal erosion risk management functions and to have regard to any Ministerial guidance on this topic.

From 6th April 2015 will become a statutory consultee within the Planning application process. This will be in the case initially of all majors defined as being 10+ units. This will be included within the National Planning Policy Framework.

Havering also has the following new powers:

Power to do works to manage flood risk from surface runoff or groundwater;

Power to designate structures and features that affect flooding;

The key activities for a Lead Local Flood Authority are:

Strategic Leadership

Meeting the Flood Risk Regulations

Flood Investigation Reporting

Asset Register

Designating Assets

Reporting Flood Incidents

Consenting changes to Ordinary Watercourses

Strategic Leadership

London Borough of Havering has an important role to play as the strategic leader for local flood risk management. This involves developing this Local Flood Risk Management Strategy document, ensuring that all organisations involved in flood risk management are aware of their responsibilities, monitoring progress and activity by all parties involved in flood risk management and co-ordinating communication with the public and between organisations.

The Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee provides an important forum for elected representatives to discuss flood risk. There are also officer groups which bring together relevant officers from the different organisations to discuss issues of policy and to ensure that information is being captured and shared.

Meeting the Flood Risk Regulations

The Flood Risk Regulations 2009 require all Lead Local Authorities to produce a Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA). The first PFRA was published November 2011 and can be found on the Havering website. www.havering.gov.uk . A new version will be published in 2017. The PFRA identifies any Indicative Flood Risk Areas in the Borough.

The Flood Risk Regulations also require that Flood Risk and Flood Hazard Maps are produced for any Indicative Flood Risk Areas. This will be followed by a Flood Risk Management Plan which will be published in December 2015.

Recording Flood Incidents

Assembling an accurate picture of flood risk across Havering requires the collection of precise and useful records from actual flood incidents occurring across the Borough.

This will be achieved using a Flood Incident Record Sheet which includes fields for rainfall and flood information, as well as additional columns for the nature and cost of any damage and Officer notes. Any records will be completed each time an incident occurs, and that all records will be sent through to Havering Flood Management group prior to the next scheduled meeting.

Anglian Water, Thames Water, Transport for London and the Highways Authority may respond to certain incidents so a process needs to be formulated for data to be efficiently shared with the Lead Local Flood Authority.

Flood Investigation Reports

A Flood Investigation Report should examine which authorities have an involvement in a flood incident, and clearly outline their responsibility or actions, if any.

Investigations will involve consultation with the relevant risk management authorities, landowners and private organisations involved, all of whom we expect to cooperate with us and provide comments.

The aim is for Flood Investigation Reports to bring all useful information together in one place, providing an understanding of situations, outlining possible causes of flooding and

www.havering.gov.uk

potential long-term solutions. Further recommendations will be made to highlight potential flood risk management actions. Reports will provide a clear and thorough understanding of flooding situations, but our duty to investigate does not guarantee that problems will be resolved and cannot force other authorities into action. Decisions about next steps must be made by the parties involved.

The decision whether to investigate a flood is ultimately at the discretion of the Lead Local Flood Authority. Current policy is that an investigation should be carried out where the following eligibility criteria are met, or it is in the public interest to do so:

where there is ambiguity surrounding the source or responsibility of a flood incident;

where internal flooding of one property has been experienced on more than one occasion; OR

where internal flooding of five properties has been experienced during one single flood incident; OR

where there is a risk to life as a result of flooding.

Flood Investigation Reports (FIRs) should be published within 3 months of an incident being reported to London Borough of Havering. However, there are cases where this timeframe will be extended (e.g. widespread flooding across the Borough).

During widespread flooding, the method for prioritising flood investigation will initially be based on the following flood characteristics; this information is deemed the most likely to be available:

the number of properties flooded internally;

the frequency of flooding (based on the number of incidents in the last 10 years).

If after considering the above there remains no clear priority, characteristics such as the flood source, flood depth and velocity, rate of onset and duration will be taken into account if known.

Asset Register

Flood Risk Assets are structures or features which are considered to have an effect on flood risk. An example could be an embankment protecting properties and therefore decreasing flood risk, or an undersized culvert in a residential area, which may increase flood risk during high rainfall.

Havering Council is required to keep an asset record (for use by risk management authorities) and an asset register (available for inspection by the public at all reasonable times). This process will take a substantial amount of time to complete as assets of other holdings are also required.

The Asset Register (for public use) will include a map of local flood risk assets across Havering. Information will clarify whether an asset is publically or privately owned. The Asset Record (for LLFA use) will then provide further information about each asset, and contact details for the owner/maintainer. This database will be used to investigate cases where flood risk asset issues have been reported.

Unlike major assets associated with fluvial or tidal flooding, there may be confusion over the ownership and maintenance responsibility of local flood risk assets. For example local drainage infrastructure is commonly hidden underground or along land boundaries, where landowners either do not realise or acknowledge that they have any responsibility. The Asset Register helps to address this problem, making residents aware of assets in their area and enabling contact with the assets’ owners when there are problems.

There are no defining criteria for what defines an asset as "significant" but the most important consideration is its location. Future flood risk mapping and the flood history at a site will be used to analyse the ‘significance’ of each flood risk asset. The vulnerability of the asset’s surroundings will also be used to determine the possible consequences of its failure.

Pro-active collection of information regarding existing assets will require Havering Council to work with other Boroughs, the GLA and the Environment Agency as well as Havering Council’s Highways team, TFL, Highways Agency, Anglia Water, Thames Water and other partners highlighted within the flood risk organogram of organisations and identified as members of the external flood group structure.

New sustainable drainage assets will be recorded via the SUDS approval process and asset data may also be captured through local studies, such as Surface Water Management Plans. The present system being used is the Floodstation - a computer designed programme that is used by a number of LLFA’s across London.

Designating Assets

Relevant clauses of the Flood and Water Management Act have been commenced, Havering Council, Environment Agency and the adjoining Borough Councils will all be ‘designating authorities’. That is, they may ‘designate’ features or structures where the following four conditions are satisfied:

1. The designating authority thinks the existence or location of the structure or feature affects:

a. a flood risk, or b. coastal erosion risk.

2. The designating authority has flood or coastal erosion risk management functions in respect of the risk which is affected

3. The structure or feature is not designated by another authority 4. The owner of the structure or feature is not a designating authority.

If an asset becomes ‘designated’ its owner cannot alter or remove it without first consulting the designating risk management authority.

The aim of designating flood risk assets is to safeguard them against unchecked works which could increase flood risk in the area. Designating of features is not something that should be done regularly but only when there are concerns about the asset.

To ensure that there is a consistency in designation across all the designating authorities, it is proposed that there is a biannual meeting.

Consenting Watercourses

The London Borough of Havering will lead on ordinary watercourse consenting and enforcement The Land Drainage Act 1991 will underpin ordinary watercourse regulation undertaken by Local Authorities. This will occur following commencement of paragraphs 3234 of Schedule 2 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Changes to ordinary watercourse management have been made by the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 [FWMA]. In particular paragraph 32 (principally) of Schedule 2 of the FWMA amends section 23 of the Land Drainage Act 1991 (LDA1991).

The purpose of ordinary watercourse regulation is to control certain activities that might have an adverse flooding impact.

Planning any works to an ordinary watercourse, may require consent under the Land Drainage Act (1991) from London Borough of Havering. Ordinary watercourses include streams, drains and ditches and passages through which water flows that do not form part of the main river. From the 6th April,2013 the duty to consent works on ordinary watercourses, passes to London Borough of Havering, from the Environment Agency. Environment Agency remains responsible for main river consenting, and Havering is responsible for consenting on ordinary watercourses within their drainage area. A statutory map showing main rivers is available from the Environment Agency main rivers are regulated by the Environment Agency. To determine if the watercourse is in the drainage board's area, a map is available on the EA website Section 23 of the Land Drainage Act (1991) states: No person shall – i. erect any mill dam, weir or other like obstruction to the flow of any ordinary watercourse or raise or otherwise alter any such obstruction; or ii. erect a culvert in an ordinary watercourse, or iii. alter a culvert in a manner that would be likely to affect the flow of an ordinary watercourse, without the consent in writing of the drainage board concerned.

Consent under this section may be given subject to reasonable conditions. How to apply for land drainage consent for ordinary watercourses To make an application, please contact us for a form. We can also advise on what to include with your application, which other organisations you may need to consult regarding your application and how long it takes to process your application.

SuDS Approval Body Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are a crucial mechanism in ensuring that development can take place without causing drainage problems for existing development. SuDS retain surface water runoff within a development and stop it running off at fast rates, causing flooding downstream. They are also an opportunity to ensure that issues of water quality and amenity are given the same importance as managing volumes of water. In this

way, sustainability and consideration of biodiversity and natural habitat issues can become an integral part of the design and development process.

The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 assigns London Borough of Havering the role of a SuDS Approval Body (SAB) which must:

Approve all construction work which has drainage implications

Ensure that any adopted SuDS Schemes are properly maintained

This is a parallel process to planning permission, similar to Building Regulations Approval. However, to avoid confusing situations whereby a planning application could be approved but construction cannot go ahead because the drainage application was denied, all drainage application decisions will be made where possible week before the final planning application is made so that it can be considered in the planning application decisions. The Environment Agency are a statutory consultee for the approval process and must respond within 21 days of being consulted about an application.

Drainage is a complicated issue and cannot be tacked on at the end of designing a scheme. For that reason Havering Council will produce a SuDS Design Guide to advise on the SAB’s expectations for drainage. Developers are also encouraged to contact the SAB team at a very early stage of development to discuss their plans.

Once a SuDS application has been approved, construction can take place subject to compliance with other statutory regimes such as Planning or Building Control. A non-performance bond will be taken out which will be repaid on confirmation that the SuDS has been designed as agreed in the drainage application. There will then be a trial period to ensure that it functions fully before adoption takes place.

Once adoption has taken place, maintenance will be the responsibility of London Borough of Havering and will be carried out either by Havering itself or by a contracted provider.

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Fisheries and Rural Affairs) has published guidance on National Standards for SuDS and the approval process. This can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

Emergency Planning London Borough of Havering Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Service has responsibility for planning for and responding to local flood incidents (i.e. groundwater, surface water runoff and ordinary watercourse flooding). Emergency Planning has a fairly generic set of responsibilities for responding to the many type of emergencies that may affect the Borough. These roles include:

Receipt of and monitoring of Flood Guidance Statement and Extreme Rainfall Alerts.

Internal and external cascade of Flood Guidance Statements and Extreme Rainfall Alertsas directed.

Deployment and facilitating of support personnel to Strategic Co-ordinating Group,Empress State Building if required for a cross London event.

Maintain emergency resource database

Maintain GIS with surface water mapping in partnership with the EA

Maintain GIS with data on vulnerable locations with GIS Team.

Liaison / Support with members of the Havering Borough Resilience Forum (these include British Transport Police, Environment Agency, London Ambulance Service, London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police, Health Protection Agency, NHS Havering

Co-ordinate role and deployment of the Voluntary Sector to emergencies.

Warning and Informing under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004

Provision of a 24/7 Local Authority Liaison Officer (LALO) system

Maintenance of the Borough Emergency Control Centre. (BECC)

Emergency Planning work very closely with the London Fire Brigade in planning for and responding to flood emergencies. The London Fire Brigade are not a flood risk management authority and do not have any specific mandated responsibilities around flood emergencies. However, as part of the service they offer, they are often involved in flood emergencies. This is agreed through ‘New Dimensions’ where a number of other responsibilities and areas of response have evolved through the various incidents and events including the Pitt Review, 07/07 terrorist attacks and other major disasters.

Highways Authority Highways Authorities are Risk Management Authorities, under the Flood and Water Management Act, and must adhere to the responsibilities of risk management authorities. However, Highways Authorities also have further responsibilities:

Responsibility to maintain the Highways

Under the Highways Act, the Highways Authority has a duty to maintain the highway. This includes ensuring that highway drainage systems are clear and that blockages on the highway are cleared, where reasonably practicable.

As part of this duty, roads are regularly inspected and maintained. Highways Structures are inspected on a 2 year cycle.

Responsibility as an undertaker

Havering Highways have a number of roads that fall within their responsibility. However, the main trunk roads within the Borough including A12, A13 and A127 are the responsibility of Transport for London with the drainage assets on those roads being owned by Thames Water. Part of the M25 falls within the London Borough of Havering and is managed by the Highways Agency .

Powers to deliver works

Highways Authorities are able to adopt SuDS that serve the highways and may do this in certain circumstances up until the commencement of the SuDS Approval Body.

The highway authority can deliver works that they consider necessary to protect the highway from flooding. These can be on the highway or on land which has been acquired by the highway authority in the exercise of highway land acquisition powers for that purpose. An example of this is the provision of attenuation ponds on highway land to alleviate flooding adjacent to the M25.

Highway Authorities may divert parts of a watercourse or carry out any other works on any form of watercourse if it is necessary for the construction, improvement or alteration of the highway or provides a new means of access to any premises from a highway.

Response in an Emergency Flooding Event

In the event of an emergency or major incident Havering Highways Authority will provide:

The means to transport people through its contacts with local bus, coach and taxi operators and Havering's in house fleet to assist with evacuations and helping uninjured survivors at the scene of a major incident to travel home or to a place of safety

Assistance in management of the transportation network to restore the flow of traffic in the event of an evacuation or away from the area of an incident. This includes providing equipment such as barriers, cones and signs and setting up and marking route diversions (service provided by Works Contractors in conjunction with the Police) and changing traffic signal controls to improve the flow of traffic.

Use of the TFL Traffic Control Centre facilities and established media contacts to keep staff and the public across the Borough informed on travel related matters.

The means to inspect, repair or clear the highway network through the provision of staff, materials and equipment sourced through contractors where necessary and in liaison with TFL.

Historic Environment Flood Risk and the Historic Environment

The historic environment comprises historic landscape, historic built environment and buried archaeological deposits. The Champion for the Historic Environment within Havering produces an Annual report and highlights any advice on planning and other land management decisions such as flooding to avoid or mitigate damage to the historic environment.

This topic has input from Havering Museum Limited and other officers elsewhere within the authority where previous flood events are recorded and investigated.

Planning Authority

Havering’s Planning Authority responsibilities are included within the local planning policy framework and all planning functions, all Minerals & Waste related developments and the

determination of planning applications which affect Flood Risk Management are carried out in two key ways:

1) Considering flooding concerns in developing local plans and policies – namely the adopted Local Development Framework (2008) documents and policies, including the Joint Waste Development Plan Document (prepared and adopted in conjunction with the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Newham and Redbridge) and policies on minerals and minerals extraction in the Borough

2) Working with the SuDS Approval Body in ensuring that planning applications and drainage applications are complementary – Namely the determination of Minerals and Waste planning applications and Reg 3 Havering Council’s own developments (schools, roads etc)

Considering flood risk assessments submitted in support of applications on which the Environment Agency do not require to be consulted.

Planning Policy - Minerals and Waste Local Plans and Policies:

When considering flooding concerns in developing Minerals and Waste plans and policies the Minerals and Waste planning authority needs to do all the actions that Local Planning Authorities have to do and in addition:

Consider whether to promote sustainable water management through a Waste Water Treatment Works

Work with developers to locate new development and regeneration according to the flood vulnerability category of the intended use in relation to Minerals and Waste. Avoid creating additional risk by not developing in areas served by critical infrastructure which is in a flood vulnerable location.

Development Management - Planning Application process (Minerals, Waste & Borough Councils own development)

Information about the role and requirements of the SuDS Approval Body can be found on p34. Co-operation between the Planning Authority and SuDS Approval Body requires the planning authority:

To alert developers at the pre-application stage of the need to consult with the SuDS Approval Body about drainage issues on the site.

Ensure that requests for outline and full planning permission are discussed with the SuDS Approval Body (area to be expanded within the Statement of Community Involvement).

Consult with SuDS Approval Body on applications which require a drainage application, to ensure that approval is not given to planning applications which require material changes to the application in order to receive drainage approval.

Additional Responsibilities of Borough Councils

Responsibilities under the Land Drainage Act

London Borough of Havering has no responsibilities (except when it is a landowner) under the Land Drainage Act. They do however have a number of permissive powers, which they can employ but are under no obligation to use. These include:

Permissive powers to maintain or improve existing works or to construct new works in order to help mitigate

Permissive powers to serve notice requiring owners to undertake the necessary works. Failure to comply with such a notice may result in the Council undertaking the work and recharging the owner the costs of so doing

Power to require works for maintaining flow of watercourse (unless the problem is due to mining operations). However under S26 before exercising this power the local authority shall, according to whether or not the watercourse or part is in an internal drainage district, notify the Environment Agency.

Advise the LLFA on land drainage consent applications

Responsibilities as a Planning Authority

London Borough of Haverings’ planning function supports Flood Risk Management in three key ways:

Considering flooding when developing local plans Working with the SuDS Approval Body in ensuring that planning applications and

drainage applications are complementary Considering flood risk assessments submitted in support of applications on which the

Environment Agency do not require to be consulted

When considering flooding concerns in developing local plans the Planning Authority needs to do the following:

Produce a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment which considers not just fluvial and coastal flooding but also local flood risk issues. Where Critical Drainage Areas have been identified these will need to be included.

Consider whether to promote sustainable water management through the Waste Plan addressing the issue of Waste Water Treatment work

Develop a Local Plan that carefully considers flood risk. The Local Plan should embed the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), the Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment and Surface Water Management Plan (where applicable). This should allow the Local Plan to assess and record the flood risks for new developments and steer development to areas of lowest flood risk.

Work with developers to locate new development and regeneration according to the flood vulnerability category of the intended use. Avoid creating additional risk by not developing in areas served by critical infrastructure which is in a flood vulnerable location.

Promote development in hazard free areas through embedding the sequential approach referred to in the National Planning Policy Framework into the Local Plan.

Safeguard land for critical infrastructure and agricultural use.

Develop action plans, where necessary, to support sustainable spatial planning and ensure all plans are integrated and firmly linked to local strategies.

Ensure that community plans fully consider flood risk issues.

Consider the implications of the Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100) plan.

Co-operation between the Planning Authority and SuDS Approval Body requires the planning

authority to:

Invite SuDS Approval Body to any pre-application discussions taking place with developers so they can attend and advise on drainage

Alert developers at the pre app planning stage of the need to consult with the SuDS Approval Body about drainage issues on the site

Ensure that requests for outline planning permission are discussed with the SuDS Approval Body

Ensure that when the planning application arrives, the attached drainage application is immediately sent on to the SuDS Approval Body (subject to change depending on DEFRA application system proposals).

Amend local guidance so that, as with objections from highways authorities, local planning authorities are able to reject planning applications on the basis that they have failed their drainage application.

Under a consultation presently underway it is anticipated that the SuDS schemes for Major developments (10+ Units) will be implemented on the 6th April 2015 as part of the amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework and will therefore be part of the planning application and process. (Updated 2.1.2015)

Responsibilities for maintenance of public spaces

London Borough of Havering are responsible for maintenance of most parks and public spaces. Good maintenance practices can help to reduce flood risk, for instance by ensuring that rubbish and leaves are not tidied into watercourses or drains. For new public spaces which are under the control of a management company, these activities should be included in the management contract.

London Borough of Havering may also be riparian owners of both ordinary and main watercourses and as such should carry out the duties imposed on riparian owners by the Land Drainage Act. They should maintain all assets in their ownership.

Responsibilities as an Emergency Planning Authority

London Borough of Havering is a ‘Category 1’ responder to emergencies and a member of the Havering Resilience Forum. Further information about this group can be found on the council website at www.havering.gov.uk. They have duties to:

Undertake risk assessments.

Manage business continuity.

Carry out emergency planning. Share information and cooperate with other responders. Warn and advise the public during times of emergency.

During and after an emergency, London Borough of Havering have the following roles and

responsibilities:

Coordinate emergency support within their own functions.

Deal with surface water and groundwater flooding, flooding from ‘non main rivers’.

Work with other Category 1 and 2 responders as part of the multi-agency response to

floods. Coordinate emergency support from the voluntary sector. Liaise with central and regional government departments. Liaise with essential service providers. Open rest centres if necessary. Manage the local transport and traffic networks. Mobilise trained emergency social workers. Provide emergency assistance. Deal with environmental health issues, such as contamination and pollution. Coordinate the recovery process. Manage public health issues. Provide advice and management of public health. Provide support and advice to individuals. Assist with business continuity.

Powers & Responsibilities of Water Companies

There are two types of water companies working in Havering. Essex & Suffolk Water are the water supply company, while Thames Water and Anglian Water are water and sewage companies.

Water Supply Companies

Water supply companies are not Risk Management Authorities and do not have obligations to co-operate and be subject to scrutiny by Lead Local Flood Authority committees. However the Reservoirs Act 1975 has been amended to state the following:

All undertakers with reservoirs over 25,000m³ must register their reservoirs with the Environment Agency as they are subject to regulation

All undertakers must prepare a reservoir flood plan

www.havering.gov.uk

All incidents at reservoirs must be reported

Water and Sewage Companies

The water industry is highly regulated and the quality of customer service and the prices they are able to charge their customers are regulated by the Water Services Regulation Authority (WSRA), commonly known as Ofwat. The water industry operates on five-yearly cycles called Asset Management Plan (AMP) periods. Prices are set by Ofwat at the beginning of each period, following submissions from each company about what it will cost to deliver their business plans.

When determining price limits Ofwat determines how much water companies can charge their customers to:

finance their day to day spending finance their capital investment programme reward outperformance in the previous five-year period continue to finance previous capital investment through the return the company earns

on its regulatory capital value (RCV) pay tax it is liable for

Water and sewerage companies have the following responsibilities around flood risk management:

Respond to flooding incidents involving their assets.

Produce reports of flood incidents.

Maintenance of a register of properties at risk of flooding due to a hydraulic overload in

the sewerage network (DG5 register). Undertake capacity improvements to alleviate sewer flooding problems on the DG5

register. Provide, maintain and operate systems of public sewers and works for the purpose of

effectively draining an area. Have a duty to co-operate with other relevant authorities in the exercise of their flood

and coastal erosion risk management functions. Must have a regard to national and local flood and coastal erosion risk management

strategies. May be subject to scrutiny from lead local flood authorities’ democratic processes. Have a duty for the adoption of private sewers. Statutory consultee to the SAB when the drainage system is proposed to communicate

with the public sewer.

Water & Sewerage Companies & the London Borough of Havering.

It is important that the LB Havering works closely with the water and sewerage companies in order to ensure an integrated approach to flooding is maintained to the benefit of the Havering and adjoining communities.

Responding to and reporting flood incidents

Water and Sewerage Companies are responsible for flooding from their foul and surface water sewers, and from burst water mains.

The majority of flooding is reported into a 24 hour operational contact centre. The contact centre agent will check that the flooding incident involves their company's assets. If it does not they will redirect the call if necessary. If assets are identified a job is raised and dispatched to field teams.

If flooding is present or evidence of recent flooding present, the engineer will fill out a ‘DG5 Form’.

The DG form records:

The address

The date and time of the flooding

The weather (at the time of flooding)

The spill size (small, medium or large)

The cause of flooding (blockage, collapse, asset failure or overloaded)

The sewer type, asset reference and grid reference.

Flooding location (internal, external) and the number of areas affected

These forms are electronically sent and collated by the Streetcare operational management centre. Those reports of flooding due to ‘overloaded’ sewers are passed onto the asset planning team for further investigation under the DG5 procedures. Under these procedures the local asset planning teams have to conduct a detailed report of the flooding, this may include; examination of previous job history, questionnaires and interviews with the affected residents, site surveys, analysis of rainfall data and hydraulic modelling. This may result in an addition to the DG5 register. Those reports of flooding due to blockage, collapse or other asset failure are collated and used for internal reporting.

The DG5 Register All water and sewerage companies maintain a register of properties at risk of flooding due to a hydraulic overload in the sewerage network, known as the DG5 register. This is part of the set of Ofwat DG (Director General) indicators (DG2 – DG9) used to monitor company performance.

The DG5 register is a register of properties and areas that have suffered or are likely to suffer flooding from public foul, combined or surface water sewers due to overloading of the sewerage system more frequently than the relevant period. There are 3 at risk reporting categories: ‘1 in 20 year’, ‘1 in 10 year’ and ‘2 in 10 year’. The reporting category reflects the frequency of flooding incidents in properties/areas and not the return period of the storm that causes the flooding. A sewer is overloaded when the flow from a storm is unable to pass through it due to a permanent problem (e.g. flat gradient, small diameter). Temporary problems