The Kent Flood Risk and Water Management Committee met on Wednesday, 10 June 2026, to discuss a range of issues concerning flood risk and water management across the county. Key discussions included an update on severe weather response activities, a presentation on the flood and climate change assessment for Romney Marsh, and a detailed look at the council's highway drainage responsibilities. The committee also heard from the Kent Flood Action Group Forum about community involvement in flood resilience.

Severe Weather Response Activity

The committee received an update on Kent County Council's (KCC) severe weather response activities between January and March 2026. This period saw 75 flood alerts and warnings issued across the county, with notable incidents including a significant water outage affecting multiple districts from 6 to 19 January, which led to KCC declaring a Major Incident. Other water outages occurred on 27 January and 17 February. The report also detailed nine yellow weather alerts for rain, ice, wind, and snow, and four closures of the Thames Barrier for testing and operational purposes. The committee was asked to note these warnings and contribute to future planning.

Romney Marshes Flood and Climate Change Assessment

A presentation was given on the Romney Marsh Flood and Climate Change Impact Assessment, a study aimed at improving the understanding of flood risks in the low-lying reclaimed wetland area. The assessment, which is being conducted in phases, will provide high-level options for future management and investment to protect the area from increased risks due to climate change, including sea level rise and more frequent tidal locking of outfalls. Funding for the project has been secured through the Southern Region Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy, with contributions also sought from Southern Water and Folkestone and Hythe District Council. The study will involve detailed modelling of watercourses, pumps, and outfalls, and will consider innovative solutions from both within the UK and Europe. Councillors expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its importance as a first step in protecting coastal communities and the potential for learning to be applied more broadly across Kent. Discussions also touched upon the potential impact of proposed solar farms on flood risk, with assurances that they would be subject to the same sustainable drainage rules as other developments.

KCC Highways and Transport Road Drainage

Carol Valentine, Highways Asset Drainage Manager, presented an overview of the KCC Highways and Transport drainage team's responsibilities, workload, and future plans. The team manages approximately 225,000 to 250,000 roadside gullies, 250 ponds and lagoons, 15 pumping station locations, and 8,500 soakaways. The team receives around 8,000 inquiries annually, a workload described as high for its size. Ms. Valentine detailed the cyclical and reactive maintenance programmes, including plans to clean the minor road network every two years. She also outlined the challenges faced, including aging infrastructure, limited capacity, third-party infrastructure, land drainage issues, and the impact of climate change. Future plans include a programme for cleaning ponds and lagoons, mainline cleansing, mapping hotspots, and exploring collaboration and innovation. Councillors raised concerns about the frequency of cleaning, the priority given to subways compared to roads, and the significant backlog of outstanding drainage works, estimated at £5 million. The issue of ongoing flooding in specific areas, such as Church Street, Loose, and Paddock Wood, was also discussed, with assurances that the team would investigate further.

Kent Flood Action Group Forum Update

David Gough, Chairman of the Kent Flood Action Group Forum, provided an update on the work of volunteer-led flood action groups across Kent. These groups raise awareness, monitor conditions, support vulnerable residents, and lobby for improvements. Mr. Gough highlighted the challenges faced, including riparian ownership issues, development on floodplains, changing agricultural practices, and the need for river maintenance. He stressed the importance of collaboration between communities, agencies, and local authorities, and noted the National Flood Forum's role in supporting these groups. The discussion also covered the impact of flooding on residents' lives, including concerns about insurance and property values, and the need for proactive measures in the face of more extreme weather patterns. Councillors acknowledged the valuable work of the flood action groups and the need for ongoing coordination and knowledge sharing, particularly concerning the loss of historical local knowledge. The potential for a citizen science approach, such as water wardens, to gather ongoing information on water quality and river management was also discussed.

The meeting also included a discussion on Item 4, KCC Severe Weather Response Activity Report, and Item 5, Romney Marshes Flood and Climate Change Assessment Presentation, which were noted by the committee.