9th October 2009

Residents in Southampton are at an increased risk of flooding as sea levels across the south coast have risen substantially over the past century, according to a study.

Homeowners in the region could also be faced with increases to their home insurance premiums as water levels threaten coastal defences.

The research carried out by the University of Southampton shows that mean sea levels and extreme sea levels have been rising at a similar rate through the 20th century.

The rate of rise is in the range 1.2 to 2.2 mm per year, with 1.3 mm per year recorded at Southampton.

The researchers formed a single data set of south east sea level records by combining paper-based and computer records of the south coast, from the Scilly Isles to Sheerness.

Coastal engineering expert Professor Robert Nicholls said: "While these changes seem small, over a century they accumulate and substantially increase the risk of flooding during storms, unless there have been corresponding upgrades to flood defences.

"A water level that had an average likelihood of occurring once every 100 years in 1900 now has an average likelihood of occurring on average every 10 to 25 years, depending on the site considered.

"As sea levels continue to rise and probably accelerate, this increase in the likelihood of flooding will continue."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

Compare home insurance policy details and prices with Tesco Compare.