The Association of British Insurers is asking the British government to develop a 25-year strategy to manage Britain's growing flood risk.
The recommendations come in a report titled "Summer Floods 2007: Learning the Lessons."
ABI said the national flood strategy would be based on:
o An investment program that reflects climate change and the real flood risks from rivers, coasts and drainage.
o Improved national leadership and coordination with national targets for reducing flood risk. A single national body would be responsible for flood management strategy to replace the current piecemeal approach.
o Stronger planning controls to ensure that new developments are not built in high flood-risk areas wherever possible.
Stephen Haddrill, director general of the ABI, said in a statement, "This summer's devastating floods highlight the urgent need for a long-term strategy based around more investment, national coordination and better land use planning."
He added, "Insurers want to continue to provide flood insurance. The right decisions from the government will ensure that flood insurance remains widely available and affordable in the [United Kingdom]."
The ABI said it is also releasing the results of an opinion survey in the areas affected by the past summer's flooding (Yorkshire and Humberside, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire).
ABI said the survey found residents of the flooded areas believe that an overhaul of drainage systems is the most urgent measure now needed to reduce the risk of future flooding.
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed think it likely that their areas will be affected by flooding again on the same scale as this summer.
Residents have a positive view of the response of their local authority and insurance companies to the floods.
Finally, disruption of travel was the major impact of the floods, with 67 percent of residents saying they were affected. Other disruptions noted were power cuts, disruption to water supplies and the closure of places of work. Fifteen percent of residents surveyed said their property sustained flood damage.
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