The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has been researching public attitudes towards flood risk one year after the serious flooding of summer 2007.

The study found that three-quarters of people think that not enough is being done to prevent flooding and many named improved drainage as a key priority.

Of those questioned from areas that were badly flooded last year, eight out of ten people said that they thought flood danger was increasing, while two-thirds of those surveyed from a wider area also thought the risk was worsening.

Ninety-eight per cent of respondents agreed that the Government’s target of three million new homes by 2020 should be reviewed if it means more homes are at risk of flooding.

A majority of people questioned want to see tougher planning controls for new homes and greater investment in flood defences.

Nine out of ten said they would like to see a recognised standard or kite mark to show that new homes are built to flood-resilient standards.

The ABI is warning that the half a million homes currently known to be at significant risk of flooding could become uninsurable, unless the Government acts to ensure they are adequately protected.

Speaking at the ABI’s conference today, Nick Starling, the association’s director of general insurance and health, said that the findings of the survey reinforce the ABI’s call for a long-term flood management strategy.

They also highlight the problem of surface water drainage, which he believes should receive particular attention.

Environment Agency figures put the number of homes at significant risk of flooding at 500,000.