The Pitt Review: Lessons from the 2007 UK Flooding Crisis
How the 2007 UK floods led to the Pitt Review, establishing Lead Local Flood Authorities and reshaping national flood risk policy for a generation.
In 2007, the United Kingdom experienced exceptional flooding during its wettest summer on record. Short-lived, intense rainfall events triggered sudden flash floods across multiple regions, including South Yorkshire, Hull, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and the Thames Valley. The disaster damaged critical infrastructure systems and displaced thousands of residents. The impact was severe: 55,000 properties flooded, 7,000 people required rescue, and 13 lives were lost.
The government commissioned an independent review to examine lessons from these catastrophic events. Sir Michael Pitt led this investigation, producing recommendations that became known as the Pitt Review.
Key Recommendations
Flood Warnings
The review advocated for improved early warning systems using meteorological and environmental data, enabling faster alerts to emergency responders and at-risk populations.
Infrastructure Resilience
The review stressed building stronger critical infrastructure and establishing post-flood recovery funding mechanisms, along with better documentation of flooding incidents.
Public Education
Communities in flood-prone areas required targeted information campaigns about property and family protection strategies.
Planning Policy Reform
Development should occur responsibly in flood-risk zones rather than through blanket bans. The review emphasised reducing impermeable surfaces in new developments and preserving landscaped spaces to allow natural water infiltration, reducing pressure on drainage networks.
Local Authority Responsibility
The review identified a gap in local flood risk oversight. This recommendation led to designating Lead Local Flood Authorities beginning in 2011, with local councils assuming specific flood management responsibilities.