River Flood Plains Make a Comeback?

The flood plains of UK rivers, including the Thames, were there for a reason (to take away excess waters when flooding events occurred) but, over the centuries, we have straightened the rivers and built houses and palaces  on these over-flow areas. There is now a project to 're-wild' the Thames flood plain (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/27/rewilding-project-aims-give-thames-flood-plain-back), a move that appears timely given the increased rate of flooding and the predicted further rises in sea levels. But, as is pointed out by the leaders of the Thames project, there is an urgent need to educate the general public about the reasons why this is desirable and why simple flood defences are not a long-term solution in many places.