How we're working with Admiral on natural flood prevention
We’ve joined with insurer Admiral Group plc in a new three-year partnership that will help improve flood management through a combination of nature conservation measures and community initiatives.
In England and Wales, one in six homes is already affected by flooding in some way and this figure is set to rise to one in four by 2050. The impact of flooding on people and nature can be devastating. The partnership’s aim is to tackle this growing threat using nature-based solutions – restoring vital landscapes to help slow water flow, store carbon and support biodiversity – to create a legacy of sustainable living for communities across the UK.
This collaboration will combine Admiral's experience of looking after people and the things that matter most to them with our expertise in protecting the environment. Throughout our partnership, we’ll work together on sustainable projects, raising awareness of each organisation and helping to protect more communities from the effects of flooding – now and in the future.
Admiral is contributing £600,000 to support three of our flagship projects focused on restoration work in flood-prone areas of England and Wales: Eryri in Snowdonia, the Holnicote Estate in Somerset and Borrowdale in the Lake District.
Eryri, Snowdonia
The first of these is already underway in one of Wales’ most ecologically important landscapes: the Migneint blanket bog in Eryri. This ambitious project will restore around 12 hectares of the most severely eroded peatland at Waen Fraith. When peat dries out and erodes, it releases carbon into the atmosphere. In this case, it also causes communities downstream in the Conwy Valley to flood during heavy rain. One species particularly set to benefit is the curlew, whose numbers are rapidly declining.
Borrowdale, Lake District
In Borrowdale in the Lake District, the second project will improve the river and floodplain connection so more water can be stored following heavy rainfall. As part of this, a warning system will be installed to give residents time to prepare in the event of flooding. In addition to helping the community, improved habitats will benefit species including the Arctic charr, Atlantic salmon and freshwater mussels.
Holnicote Estate, Somerset
Holnicote Estate in Somerset is the site of the final project. Here, we’ll reduce flood risks by managing water flow using small-scale, nature-based measures in the landscape such as leaky dams (which slow the flow of water) and swales (shallow channels that direct run-off). Set to be implemented across the estate, these will restore natural habitats from floodplain meadows to peatland and hedgerows. Along with flood resistance and benefits to wildlife, these low-tech measures will increase soil and water quality and carbon capture, while reducing maintenance costs.
Restoring peat really is a nature-based solution with real-world impact.
Campaign launch
The launch of Admiral’s first campaign with us this November will show how our shared knowledge can help restore the countryside and create a strong flood defence.
Admiral has enlisted the help of several experts and familiar faces to create the ‘Flood Force’, encouraging homeowners to take simple steps that will help strengthen their flood resilience and advise them on how to respond to a flood. Among these are TV presenter Sean Fletcher, garden experts, flood experts and National Trust specialists.
Working together, we’ll make a real difference: reducing the number of flood claims and protecting homes, wider communities and our landscapes from flooding through small, low-tech interventions to benefit both people and nature.
We’re investing in natural flood management solutions to strengthen flood resilience for people and nature.
What’s next?
Although the partnership between us and Admiral is centred around flooding, that’s just the beginning. Over the next three years, we’ll be working together to publish advice and guidance for anyone affected by flooding.
We might be two very different organisations, but we have one thing in common – we care about protecting the things that matter, from the world around us to the people living in it. We aim to leave things better than we found them and work hard to ensure the future looks bright for everyone.