London and the Thames Gateway are at particular risk of flooding caused by climate change, a report says today, pointing to the scale of housing development planned in the region and danger to the capital’s financial district. Financial Times
The comprehensive study, commissioned by Hermes, the fund manager, to advise on future risks to its £10bn property portfolio, warns that the highest danger is flooding in city centres. There are also dangers from excess heat, drought and wind speed, with both commercial and residential property at risk.
The analysis, by researchers at University College London, assesses the vulnerability of 14 strategic UK cities and towns. There is a clear north-south divide, with cities such as Southampton and Bristol bearing the highest risk to all aspects of climate change, compared with comparatively safe areas in the north such as Glasgow, Belfast and Edinburgh.