The Flood Ready London partnership, including Thames Water, have published the first London Surface Water Strategy to make the capital more resilient to surface water flooding.

Organisations across London have joined forces to take action - the partnership is made up of the Environment Agency, London Councils, London Fire Brigade, Mayor of London, Thames Water, and Transport for London, supported by the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

The Strategy provides detailed water and geographical information to help the water industry, developers and planners learn more about London’s flood risk to develop policy, design schemes or inform local action to help prevent and reduce the risk of surface flooding in the capital.

Heavy downpours, which caused significant flooding and serious disruption in London in July 2021, are predicted to become more frequent and severe due to climate change and urban landscapes. The London Surface Water Strategic group was formed following these floods, with key organisations across London coming together to improve the way surface water is managed. 

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“The climate emergency remains one of the biggest threats we face. In the past we’ve seen how devastating flash flooding can be to Londoners, and extreme weather events are unfortunately becoming more common in our city.

“I’m determined to do all I can to make London more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The London Surface Water Strategy is a new pan-London approach which will see us work closely with environmental organisations to better adapt, prepare for and reduce the impact of surface water flooding.

“Together, we will work to future-proof the capital against climate change and build a better, greener London for everyone.”

Flood Ready London is also working to find the best, most practical and cost-effective ways to help Londoners be prepared for flooding. Developed through a series of consultations with boroughs, environmental organisations, and community groups, the proposed solutions rely on collective, pan-London working.

Ten Surface Water Catchment Partnerships are being trialled over the next two years to cover the whole of Greater London, with the first two covering Central London and Lee Valley. 

The partnerships will bid for funding to implement practical, cost-effective initiatives to manage storm surface water, such as replacing hard landscaping with rain gardens and making allowances for surface water overflows in new developments.

A further £1.5 million has been committed for the delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) with contributions of £500k each from the Mayor of London, Transport for London and Thames Water.

Flood Ready London will be continuing to identify and draw down additional funding in the short term to support its work.

Charlie Wood, Environment Agency Director for London said:

“We are proud to be part of leading such a groundbreaking approach to reducing the impacts of urban surface water flooding in a major worldwide city like London. This partnership is the perfect example of how the Environment Agency provides strategic overview for all forms of flooding nationwide. 

“Working with the mayor, boroughs and partners across London, we have produced a truly evidence-led, catchment-based approach to a complex issue.

“We must now focus our collaborative efforts on where we can all make most impact."

Alex Nickson, Head of Partnerships and Catchment Management at Thames Water said:

“This strategy is a groundbreaking approach to dealing with the very real challenge of flooding in London. We have seen the devastating impact it can have on homes and businesses so are delighted to be a part of this cross-agency approach to dealing with the problem.

“We are seeing increasingly heavy rainfall events which overwhelm the capital’s drainage system. This strategy outlines how we can all work together to safely manage water at a surface level to protect people, property and livelihoods.

“As well as flood protection, this strategy will also help to make London a far greener city for everyone.”

Webinars on the Strategy to cover general and technical interests are currently being set up – email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to register interest in attending.

Click here to download The London Surface Water Strategy