UK Flood Barriers hosts Westminster event to highlight latest flood defence measures

A WORCESTERSHIRE flood defence manufacturer is to showcase its products in Westminster at an event designed to highlight Britain’s ability to combat flooding like that seen this winter.

UK Flood Barriers, based in Droitwich, is one of the UK’s market leaders in flood alleviation schemes.

At the invitation of Mid Worcestershire MP, Sir Peter Luff, the company is hosting a reception where some of the country’s most resilient flooding infrastructure will be on display.

Other Parliamentarians, consulting engineers, contractors and representatives from the construction, transport infrastructure and utilities sectors have also been invited to attend.  

The event, which takes place on March 11, will be sponsored by Sir Peter Luff and speakers include Mark Lane, chair of British Water and chair of the UKTI Environment and Water Sector Advisory Group; Simon Purcell, Senior Technical Director of WSP Group; and Frank Kelly, CEO of UK Flood Barriers.

Kelly said: “With large swathes of the country suffering the worst flooding in decades, engineering technology for flood mitigation in the built environment has made significant progress in recent years.  This event will showcase Britain’s capability to design world class flood resilient infrastructure and see the UK establish itself as an innovation powerhouse in the global flood defence sector.
 
“Being based in Worcestershire, we have witnessed at first hand the misery that flooding causes which prompted the setup of the company with the express aim of creating a comprehensive and cohesive range of products.  We are committed to investing in solutions not only to help protect the people in the area we all know and love, but also to do something on a national and now global scale to help those blighted by flooding.”

Peter Pawsey, executive chair of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said firms such as UK Flood Barriers were fulfilling a vital role in raising the county’s profile.

“Not only is UK Flood Barriers serving customers throughout Britain, they are now successfully securing contracts in Malaysia, France, the USA and other parts of the globe.  As world climate systems change, it is important for technology to keep pace,” he said.  

The cost of the adverse weather conditions experienced over the winter is likely to have a serious impact on the insurance companies.

In its full year results, Direct Line said while it was still too early to assess the full scale of the flooding, the group’s preliminary estimate for the cost of Home claims was likely to be in the range of £70 to £90m. This compares to £80m in what would be an average year of weather-related claims.

Direct Line said it would have a better idea of the costs once the great clean-up began.

The group has also experienced weather-related claims of approximately £20m in its Commercial division.

It said that with elevated ground water levels, the potential for future claims following more rain was increased.