The London area that is most at risk of being abandoned due to flooding

In recent years, flooding has become much more of a problem in London. What’s to thank? Climate change, of course.

A new study by insurance company Aviva has now revealed which areas of the capital are most likely to have to be abandoned if flooding continues. Experts in the insurance industry analysed every parliamentary constituency in England, Scotland and Wales to assess how vulnerable they were to flooding. The study said that in the future many locations would be deemed uninsurable if they continue to be pummelled by storms, meaning living there would no longer be an option.

According to the study, densely populated areas like London could be some of the worst hit – estuary cities such as the capital could be smacked by a double-whammy of flooding from both rising seas and overflowing rivers.  

It’s bad news – and worse yet, the spot set to be the worst affected in all of England, Scotland and Wales is in London. The statistics showed that by 2050 Bermondsey and Old Southwark could see 92 percent of its homes being at risk of flooding. 

Out of the top 20 constituencies set to be worst affected by severe weather, seven were in Greater London. Also at risk was Vauxhall and Camberwell Green with 73 percent of properties, Battersea with a risk of 65 percent and Peckham risking 46 percent of its properties. 

Don’t panic, because a few solutions have been proposed to save London from turning into the Lost City of Atlantis. Some experts have suggested turning the capital into a ‘sponge city’, or building glass barriers on the Thames. 

‘Despite the findings in our report, it is not too late to act,’ said Jason Storah, chief executive of UK & Ireland General Insurance at Aviva.

‘There are solutions – big and small - which could help to improve the UK’s climate-readiness if we take collaborative and urgent action. Continued investment in flood defences, preventing unprotected new homes in flood zones, encouraging low-cost property resilience measures, and attracting more investment in nature-based solutions will help to mitigate the damage inflicted by a changing climate in future.

‘By taking vital steps now, we can help safeguard millions of properties and protect important landmarks from climate impacts in the decades to come.’

The 7 London areas most likely to be abandoned due to flooding by 2050

1. Bermondsey and Old Southwark
2. Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
3. Battersea
4. Peckham
5. West Ham and Beckton
6. Limehouse and Poplar 
7. Erith and Thamesmead 

Pioneering east London zero-waste restaurant Silo is closing. 

What is the fastest phone network in central London?