Flood risk work schedule approved

A programme of investment in flood risk management works and studies has been agreed by Devon County Council’s Cabinet.

More than 1,000 homes and businesses in the county were flooded during the unprecedented rainfall across Devon in 2012 and early 2013 and many thousands more are at risk in the future.

Devon County Council, working closely with District Councils, the Environment Agency and South West Water, carried out initial investigations of these flood events. As a direct result of this process and the feedback from flood drop-in events, Devon County Council commissioned some early schemes as an immediate priority. This included investment in new debris grills in Axminster, Modbury, Yealmpton and Ivybridge, a culvert replacement in Axminster, new sluice gates at Dawlish Water, new gullies and a drainage pipe at Buckland Monochorum as well as CCTV investigations on an old culvert in Modbury, a survey in Combeinteignhead, and detailed investigations in parts of Tiverton.

Now councillors have agreed a £1.3 million schedule of work to carry out minor improvements, support major improvement schemes with partners, study those areas at greatest risk of future flooding and to explore options and prepare plans for further work. This is in addition to the £3 million committed to the £25 million Exeter Flood Defence scheme.

Feasibility studies and detailed investigations will be carried out in a number of high risk areas including Modbury, Aveton Gifford, Ivybridge, Stokeinteignhead, Uplyme, Kingsbridge, Cullompton and Axminster. In some cases this will assess culverts and surface run-off to examine the flood risks and possible improvement options.

Devon County Council will also provide £50,000 of funding to deliver minor improvements in Modbury and to carry out a detailed project appraisal, required to support a national funding bid for improved flood protection in the town. Other locations where similar financial contributions are being offered to assist others with scheme planning and future implementation are Feniton, Braunton and Whimple.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: “Communities across Devon were devastated by last year's floods and that impact is still being felt. This initial flood risk management programme has been prioritised, based on the number and frequency of properties flooded, and the programme will be regularly reviewed and subject to change as works are progressed.

“The delivery of short term schemes with immediate benefits need to be progressed as quickly as practical and the medium to long term schemes must also be developed to ensure they are ready for implementation when funding becomes available. The Flood Risk Management Team will be working closely with the District Councils, Environment Agency and South West Water to ensure a joined up approach is maintained throughout.”

Devon County Council is also preparing surface water management plans across the county, the results of which will be included in the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, which is currently being developed for publication in 2014.