The impacts of flooding can be devastating – from the cost of repairs and replacing damaged belongings to the loss of business and the personal trauma it can cause. To help residents understand flood risk and how to prepare, Bedford Borough Council will host its annual Flood Forum on Thursday, 26th March 2026, 2.30-6.30pm, at Great Denham Community Centre, 86 Saxon Way, Bedford, MK40 4GP.
This free, drop-in event is open to everyone and offers a chance to speak directly with the Council’s Resilience Team and other flood management experts. Visitors will learn more about flood resilience measures, how flood risk is managed locally, and what practical steps they can take to help protect their homes and communities.
Partners attending this year include the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, Bedfordshire Fire Service, Internal Drainage Board, Flood Re (a joint initiative between the Government and insurers) and other Bedford Borough Council teams, such as Highways. There will also be information on the Council’s drain maintenance programme, which plays a key role in managing surface water and reducing flood risk across the area.
As the Lead Local Flood Authority, Bedford Borough Council has a number of powers and duties for coordinating the management of local flood risk. The Council works closely with partners including the Environment Agency, Anglian Water, and the Bedford Group of Internal Drainage Boards, as well as with regional and national bodies such as DEFRA and the Anglian (Great Ouse) Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC).
The Flood Forum also helps residents understand their own role in managing flood risk. Homeowners and businesses are responsible for protecting their properties and, where applicable, for maintaining waterways or ditches on or adjacent to their land as riparian owners. Guidance on these responsibilities – including maps and details of how flood risk management is shared between organisations – can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/flood-risk-management
Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, said, “Flooding can have a devastating impact on homes and communities, and we know how important it is for residents to have the right information and support. The Flood Forum brings together experts and local partners in one place, giving people the chance to ask questions, share their experiences, and learn more about how they can prepare.
“As a Council, we’re committed to managing flood risk and maintaining local infrastructure, but it’s also vital that residents understand their own responsibilities in protecting their homes. Working together, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.”
The Flood Forum 2026 is free and open to everyone – no booking required.
