In the Netherlands, much of which is below sea level, we have not had a single square metre of flooding since 1953 (‘Homes may have to be abandoned’: how climate crisis has reshaped Britain’s flood risk, 31 January). In that year, a storm surge erupted in the North Sea, engulfing much of East Anglia as well as the Dutch province of Zeeland. The Dutch built the Delta Works to fix this; the English did nothing.
Years of investment in land reclamation and flood-defence experience were brought into play. The Netherlands handles the delta/distributaries of two of Europe’s greatest rivers – the Rhine (Rijn) and the Meuse (Maas). I live five metres from a major inland waterway and the level does not change. My cousin lives in Somerset (twinned with Atlantis) and is already on his third flooding of 2026.
I live also around 150 metres from the sea – separated from my immediate water by a sluis that works both ways: preventing high sea water from entering, and releasing fresh water at low tide. We know we are the best protected against rising sea levels for the coming 100 years.
The year-on-year cost to the UK of endless flooding is catastrophic, if not only in insurance policies. The solution is not difficult – just call in some Dutch water experts.
Andrew Hiscock
Harlingen, the Netherlands
• There is a housing shortage and a bone-headed business plan by the major housebuilders may be the limitation, rather than paucity, of available sites (One in nine new homes in England built in areas of flood risk, study shows, 18 February). A ground floor for cars, hobbies, waders (and boat?) with raised houses above could be a desirable response. Power outlets would be at a high level, and developments would have a raised parking platform for flood events (at other times used as a games area). Thailand, and other countries with marked wet and dry seasons, offer ancient vernacular precedents. And Holland is pioneering floating homes.
John Sergeant
Cambridge
• All houses sold or rented are assigned an energy performance certificate. Perhaps it is time to also assign them a flood risk certificate.
Michael Heaton
Warminster, Wiltshire
