HRH Duke of Gloucester will be attending FLOODEX on 27th February. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU at the end of last month, technical engagement on all matters of water management with our near neighbours, especially The Netherlands, continues and indeed strengthens.
Jon Irwin, Event Director for organizers’ Indigo Media & Events (IME), said, “Given that a major part of urban flood damage is caused for surface water run-off, this should make flood mitigation high on the list of considerations for the construction industry, developers, architects, contractors and engineers alike.”
Construction needs to be aware
According to an article published by Loughborough university, The UK market for flood risk products is growing, particularly since the 2015/16 floods, which cost councils £323m and insurers £1.27bn.
One insurer states that 2.4 million are at risk of surface water flooding, with over 3.5 million residential properties in England and Wale sat risk from some form of flooding. One in twelve are at a high risk of flooding.
Recognising that sometimes floods just cannot be fully constrained, it has to be acknowledged that a wider, integrated approach is needed and a shift from flood control to water management which is set up to deal with higher volumes of surface water that results in flooding within today’s infrastructure.
Irwin went on to say “FLOODEX is a great way for people from the construction fraternity to attend CPR accredited seminars and talk to experts about solutions and products on the exhibition stands,” adding “flooding events are only going to get worse and could affect many aspects of planning, development and construction.”
Speakers include Holland’s Delta Commissioner, Defra and Environment Agency
One of the keynote speakers this year is Peter Glas, Holland’s, Delta Commissioner and he will be sharing how Holland sees the challenge of a changing climate and how they proactively plan to deal with those changes.
We are also looking forward to hearing from a great line-up of industry and profession leaders, so make sure to find some time to participate in those presentations, including a number of “in conversation” sessions, notably involving senior staff from Defra and the Environment Agency.
Welcome to the den
Another exciting addition to this year’s FLOODEX is the Future Water Association’s “Water Dragons” competition, based on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, which provides a unique opportunity for companies to pitch product, service or process innovations to a panel of senior water management executives (The Water Dragons).
FLOODEX has great support from the industry
FLOODEX is free to enter for the exhibition and CPD accredited seminars and run in partnership with the Association of Drainage Authorities and Association of SuDS Authorities.
The Show is supported by many organizations, including Institution of Civil Engineers, Environment Agency, Future Water Association and National Association of Drainage Contractors.
FLOODEX runs on 26th & 27th February at East of England Showground, Peterborough. More information about the show, visiting and exhibiting can be had from the website.