Climate adaptation and resilience

What we want to achieve

Implement robust adaptation methods to ensure that we are prepared for a changing climate and that we accomplish resilience for all. As a Lead Local Flood Authority, we are responsible for developing, maintaining, and applying a local flood risk management strategy.

How we will do this

We have set out a range of actions for how Medway can respond to the climate emergency. These range from actions that the council will take to lead by example, to those that will support the community to act.


computer speech mark iconContinue to respond to engagement opportunities on the development of a Kent and Medway Climate Change Adaptation Programme and Implementation Plan.

cloud with rain insideEnsure that we are maintaining and updating a local flood risk management strategy, and that we incorporate the risk of flooding due to climate change in decision making.

handshake iconSupport emergency response partners and communities to plan, prepare, and exercise for future flood scenarios to reduce the consequences of flooding.

svgImg Support emergency response partners and communities to plan, prepare, and exercise for future flood scenarios to reduce the consequences of flooding.

group of people talking icon Work in partnership with other risk management authorities to reduce the risk of flooding from all sources.

lung icon Raise awareness of the health impacts of poor air quality across Medway, how to reduce these impacts and individual contribution to poor air quality .

Our progress so far

  • The draft Adaptation Programme document has been reviewed by the Climate Response Team and comments have been submitted to Kent County Council for consideration. 
  • A revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy is currently being drafted. 
  • The Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) have agreed to sustainable drainage conditions on 6 applications submitted since 1 April 2022, and have approved 8 sustainable drainage conditions. These are currently in the process of being completed. 
  • Areas for additional gully cleansing were identified for 2021 to 2022 and include annual cleaning regime of the A&B network, the Resilient Network and known flood sites. These sites are reviewed and amended annually, at the beginning of the new financial year. 
  • We have sustained a healthy tree stock and have planted bulbs at over 50 locations on main roads into Medway to support resilience to climate change and disease. Additionally, 450 whips were supplied and planted by a community group on council land with support from the Capstone Park Rangers and 15 whips planted by The Howard School at Riverside Country Park. 60 standards were planted on council land during 2020 to 2021.

Read all the actions

To read all the actions in our plan:

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