More futuristic flood defences are appearing across England as the Environment Agency tries to deal with the increasing threat of flood risk in the UK.

The Agency warned flooding is now the number one natural hazard facing the UK and with climate change, more and more properties are likely to be at risk.

But simply building bigger walls to protect properties is not the answer, the Agency said.

Flood defences made of glass, water gates that close by themselves and trees that stop water flooding town centres are all now being built and used by the Environment Agency to reduce flood risk to homes and businesses across the country.

Some examples of advances in flood engineering and flood warning technology are to be found in the north of England.

In Cockermouth, which flooded in 2009, a new flood defence is being built by the Agency, which uses self-raising flood gates – a first for the UK. These self-closing gates use the power of flood water to lift the barrier and hold them in place. As the flood waters recede, the barriers slowly go down.

Just a few miles away in Keswick, also flooded in 2009, sits a newly built glass flood defence. It was built to protect the picturesque town from flooding, while maintaining its spectacular views of the river and the Lake District hills. A traditional reinforced concrete defence would have completely obscured the views in this popular tourist town.

Glass flood walls are quite common in Germany, and most of the manufacturers are based there, however, there is now one manufacturer in the UK.

In Belford, Northumberland, a completely different method of controlling floods has been implemented. The town suffers from frequent flooding when rain runs off nearby farmland. A combination of ponds to store flood water and planted woodland to slow the flow of water, have been installed, which are both cheap and effective ways to protect against flooding.

Pete Fox, head of Strategy and Investment at the Environment Agency, said:

“We are increasingly looking at more innovative ways of dealing with flooding, such as glass walls and self-raising barriers, as well as softer defences such as using purpose-built ponds to store flood water, and building in better drainage for towns and cities.

“But we cannot prevent flooding entirely and so it is vitally important that people help protect themselves from flooding by finding out if they are at risk, and signing up for free flood warnings.”

Mr Fox added that advances in flood warning and forecasting technology have enabled the Agency to warn people earlier if their home is at risk.

Advances in flood warning and forecasting, as well as investment in flood defences, has meant that this summer over 53,000 people were protected from flooding, while over 100,000 flood warnings were sent out, allowing people essential time to prepare their homes and businesses for flooding.

However, being prepared for flooding is still the best form of defence.

“Being prepared is the most important thing that you can do to minimise the damage to your home and belongings,” Mr Fox said.