NEARLY 5,000 homes in Richmond are at significant risk of flooding, according to an Environment Agency report.
The River Thames poses a risk to about five per cent of the borough's homes, making it one of the region's hotspots.
The report claims billions need pumping into flood alleviation projections in the Thames area to prevent a repeat of the summer 2007 floods, which saw homes across Kingston and Richmond devastated by flash floods as torrential rain caused the river to burst its banks.
The Flooding In England report blames climate change for the increased problems facing the area and has called on local authorities to do more to prepare for the future, but staff on Richmond Council's environment team say they are already working on ways to keep the borough safe.
Ongoing projects include returning a pre-World War 2 flood plain in Ham to its former use and developing the capital's first multi agency flood response plan.
Windsor and Maidenhead topped the 'at risk' poll, followed by Runnymede and Waltham Forest.
