I took some photos the other day that demonstrate the knock-on effects of contamination from vehicle rental businesses. At first, you wouldn’t think that a vehicle hire business would cause any contamination, but when vehicles are jet-washed engine oil or petrol spills can be washed down the yard. The area is supposed to have proper drainage, but these photos show that oil that has been carried by water to the pavement and road in front of the premises.

With flood warnings an ever more regular feature of our weather reports, architects and developers are beginning to look for ways to allow people to live without the fear of their homes getting a soaking. If we cannot stop the floodwater rising, perhaps we need to learn to build homes that can work with it?

The two forces of an increasing population and the apparent increasing risk of flooding mean that a huge number of people live on floodplains, with one in six homes at risk.

Over Winter 2012/13 the United Kingdom once again saw vast flooding affecting thousands of people. Towns and cities such as Aberwstwyth and York, and areas in Devon are just some of the places that were adversely affected by the widespread flooding.

Furthermore, it is not just properties that were directly affected; infrastructure lines to Devon were severely impacted causing disruption, delays and in the worst cases leaving people stranded.