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Written question asked by Ben Coleman (Labour) on Monday, 9 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 February 2026. It was answered by Emma Hardy (Labour) on Friday, 13 February 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.


River Thames: Owner Occupation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether the Environment Agency is permitted to register property owners along the tidal Thames as riparian owners where legal evidence of ownership does not exist.

Answer

The Environment Agency does not register landowners in London as riparian owners. A landowner’s responsibility for a tidal flood defence arises under the Metropolis Management (Thames River Prevention of Floods) Amendment Act 1879, which requires flood defences to be created and maintained to a defined height (relative to ordnance datum) in order to protect London from flooding and inundations caused by overflows from the River Thames.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
112047
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Owner occupation River Thames
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk