Properties across the UK need good quality guttering and drainage systems in place. After all, the country receives plenty of rainfall throughout the year. However, buildings in certain locations around Britain may have a particular need for effective gutters.
For example, homes and business premises in Croydon, south London, might be at an elevated risk of flooding. A report in the Croydon Advertiser has suggested that the area has the fourth highest number of homes in danger of flooding of any district in the country.
Taking figures provided by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the publication highlighted the fact that a total of 21,000 properties in the borough are susceptible to flooding caused by surface water and heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, nearly 200 homes are at risk of significant flooding from rivers, especially in the Norbury, Bensham Manor and Purley wards.
Only Lambeth, Birmingham and Westminster were above Croydon in terms of the risk of surface water flooding.
Tarsem Flora, chairman of Purley and Woodcote Residents’ Association, remarked: “We need permanent solutions to Croydon’s flooding problem, we can’t just keep cleaning the soakaways, or we will be in trouble.”
The architect had previously drawn up plans to remodel Purley’s defences against flooding, but the suggestions were recently rejected by Defra.
Commenting on this, Conservative councillor for Heathfield Jason Cummings said: “There is a lot of planning that goes into these schemes and it is clearly a major undertaking. Anything of this scale will need to be looked at in depth. It would be good to have something more concrete by now, but it can’t be rushed and we have to get it right. The programme to clean the soakaways and gullies has, so far, prevented any serious flooding.
“Unfortunately, if you live in an area like Purley at a low point then it will get wet if there is a lot of rain.”
One of those to have been adversely affected by flooding in the Purley area of Croydon is business owner Mary Coughlan. In 2008, flash floods destroyed her clothing shop. She stated: “Every time I wake up and hear a bit of rain on my window I panic. Sometimes I get up, get in my car and go and check everything is all right. I am terrified by the prospect of heavy rain, and every time we leave at the end of the day we put 20 sandbags up against the door.”
The entrepreneur added that she is concerned there will be a repeat, and she claimed that people are leaving the area because of worries about flooding.
While there is nothing individuals and businesses can do about the level of rain that falls, they can invest in the best possible rainwater systems to help channel the water away. As well as potentially saving them money and hassle in the long run, this can help to boost their peace of mind.
It is now easy to access the relevant resources, and many people head online to check out their options.
About the Author – Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger who has written extensively on the subject of guttering systems for a range of leading sites, including Alumasc.
Floods cause so much damage. Immediate results of flooding can include loss of lives, damage to property and infrastructure, destruction of livestock as well as crops. Thanks for sharing this article about Croydon Properties At Elevated Risk Of Flooding. This is so informative. Enjoy reading it.