Experts will be gathering at the Road Drainage seminar, organised by the Construction Materials Group, at SCI’s headquarters in Belgrave Square, London on 16 October 2008 to look at the latest methods and techniques to contain and minimise damage caused by flooding.

Rising water levels due to climate change and the devastating consequences of flooding has become an all too common feature in the UK – thousands of homes and businesses have been affected as well as motorways and roads which have had to close resulting in delayed journeys and lost working days for thousands of motorists.

The Association of British Insurers estimate that last year’s floods cost Britain an estimated £3 billion with the costs of car insurance costing £100 million alone. This year, the UK has already seen 317.7mm of rainfall between June and August, so it is imperative that as much as possible is done to control and minimise the impact and damage to our transport system and reduce the cost of clearing up.

Topics that will come under discussion include permeable pavements which allow water to drain away more evenly through the pavements and thereby minimise flooding at the pavement level – they also ensure the safety of road users and the longevity of pavements through proper control of water by the provision of good drainage design. The features of good highway design to ensure effective service and value for money and the speedy removal of surface water and effective sub-drainage will also be looked at.

Chairman of the Group, Prof John Bensted, said: ‘Modern day materials can do much to limit the damage caused by flooding and, in some cases, can prevent the worst effects as can the use of good design and infrastructure. It is important that we all work together to find a solution to this ever increasing problem and continue to apply modern technology so as to keep ourselves, our vehicles and the land around us above water and in the dry whenever possible’.

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