Time to tackle insurers over flood "risks"

A short while ago, we celebrated the opening of Boston's £8.5 million lock link which - aside from its role in future recreational activities - is designed to act as the tidal flood defence for Boston.
We hope that this won't be the last word in the story, as we have recently heard several instances of insurance companies flatly refusing cover to householders because the town and its surrounding areas are in the highest risk category for flooding.
The fact that we have got off lightly in recent years when flooding has occurred has done nothing to dissuade insurers to relax their attitude - and of course they do not merely refuse cover for flooding - they refuse it completely. We also know of cases where - following flooding in other parts of the country - local householders have seen premium costs boosted by as much at 25% in a single year.
This can do nothing to help house prices in these troubled times, and it must also still further deter movement in the property market.
At the end of 2007, Boston topped a DEFRA list of areas most of risk of flooding, and as many as 15,906 homes in the borough were said to be in danger.
This is something over half the homes in the borough, and it is a figure that we think should be forcefully challenged.
The Environment Agency has gone so far as to say that people living on flood plains should be refused home insurance to discourage building on unsuitable land.
So where does this leave the Boston area?
The fact is that despite what has happened in other areas of the country in recent years, Boston has by and large escaped serious flood problems - and seems likely to continue to do so.
But this has not changed the mindset of the nation's insurers, who continue to regard the borough as a cash cow as far as premiums are concerned.
We think that now would be a good time for the local powers that be to join forces and press the case for a downgrading of Boston's flood rating, and for negotiation with the insurers for a more lenient approach towards the people that already live here or who are wanting to move to the area.
In this respect it may well be worth visiting the Lincolnshire Coastal Study roadshow at Boston Library tomorrow from 10am to 3pm.
The Coastal Study Group has been formed to assess current and potential flood risks alongside the implications for coastal communities and how the areas could be developed in future.
The main study began in January and will finish at the end of March next year.
It can't do any harm to pay a visit and make your feelings known.

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