An estimated 600,000 properties face flooding in the near future without action to reduce urban runoff and improve drainage systems, research warns.

New research by the National Infrastructure Commission has found that currently 325,000 English properties are currently in areas at high risk from surface water flooding, which means they have a 60% chance of being flooded in the next thirty years.

The commission also warned that extreme weather caused by climate change and increasing pressure on drainage systems caused by new developments could push an additional 230,000 properties into the high risk category by 2055.

It also warned that the spread of impermeable surfaces – such as the paving over of gardens – could move another 65,000 properties into a high risk area.

The commission called on the Government to lower the risk of flooding by introducing stricter controls on new property developments alongside up to £12bn of investment in drainage infrastructure over the next 30 years.

‘It’s clear that faced with more intense rainfall and increased urbanisation, we need to start taking this type of flooding far more seriously,’ said National Infrastructure Commissioner Professor Jim Hall.

‘The solution is clear – reducing the amount of water flowing into drains, whilst also improving the capacity of those drains. That means stopping urban creep from increasing the amount of storm water that drainage systems have to cope with and giving nature more opportunities to hold on to excess water, as well as targeted investment to ensure sewers can cope with growing pressures.

‘While sustained investment is needed, the estimated additional costs are relatively modest. At least as important is a more joined-up approach to owning and acting on the problem.’