Camden Flood Risk Management Strategy 2022-2027

Overview

The draft Camden Flood Risk Management Strategy (FRMS) sets out how Camden Council, in its role as Lead Local Flood Authority for Camden, and partner authorities will work together to manage flood risk.  We are consulting on Camden’s second FRMS which sets out this joint approach in Camden until 2027. The Council has produced the FRMS under the requirements of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

Human-induced climate change is seeing extreme weather events affect many parts of the world. Camden is not immune, and the likelihood of flood events occurring is increasing. Flooding will sometimes occur despite all efforts to prevent it. The FRMS therefore focuses not just on action to manage flood risk, but also on measures designed to build resilience to its impact.

There have been three major flooding incidents recorded in Camden, taking place in 1975, 2002 and 2021. Although these events are infrequent, they can turn people’s lives upside-down and disrupt local infrastructure and services. Flooding in July 2021 impacted over 100 residential properties and 12 businesses. An investigation of the flood event was completed, and the flood risk management recommendations have been embedded into this draft Strategy.

Since the publication of Camden’s first FRMS in 2013, several flood risk alleviation projects have been delivered in Camden which are highlighted within the Strategy and in the case studies below. This FRMS seeks to build on these projects and sets out our approach to flood risk management under the following objectives:

• Improving our understanding of the flood sources and flood impacts in Camden
• Identifying and securing funding to help deliver mitigation projects for flood risk
• Increase awareness and understanding of the flood risk in Camden communities
• Improve partnerships with stakeholders, ensuring all flood event flood events are accurately and independent reviewed

Once published the strategy will be reviewed every two years to monitor performance and evaluate progress in delivery of the stated actions. New actions will also be introduced, building on the outcomes of actions completed. Bi-annual progress updates will be supplemented by updates throughout the period to communicate project progress and raise awareness of flood risk in the borough.

The draft FRMS was produced before the flooding experienced in Camden on 17 August 2022. Relevant information from this event will be incorporated into the FRMS following the public consultation.

Why your views matter

Our communities are at the heart of everything we do at Camden, our FRMS is no different. We want to hear your thoughts on the Strategy as an individual, community, business, or organisation within Camden.

We have prioritised projects in areas where there is modelled flood risk and evidence of historic flooding. We are interested in hearing your views on the proposed strategy for mitigating flood risk and creating climate resilient communities.

While we have been able to develop a strong understanding of the flood risk in the borough through our modelling and records, there is always more information we can use and we’re keen to hear from you about areas in your neighbourhood which flood regularly or actions that have been taken which have had an impact on flood risk.

The key sections of the FRMS have been summarised and incorporated into the consultation survey, however a full draft of the document is available to view as a PDF below.

What happens next

Once we have reviewed all the feedback, we will produce a final version of the Strategy, based on your comments, incorporating suggested changes where practical.  Following the changes, the Strategy will be considered for adoption by Camden Council’s Cabinet in December 2022.

In the meantime, we will continue to deliver projects and programmes to reduce flood risk in Camden.