Five Devon locations are high flood priorities

Barnstaple joins Exeter, Kingsbridge, Tiverton and Dawlish on list

Barnstaple has been moved to the top of the priority list for flood prevention schemes in Devon in response to the "worst flood event" in the last decade last summer.

Torrential rain on 17 August last year left parts of the town under as much as 3-feet of water in places, while traffic came to a standstill as floodwater made the town impassable.

People from basement flats were rescued by fire crews, with several made temporarily homeless and more than 100 properties, including the Queens Theatre, suffering damaged.

Devon County Council has subsequently amended the list of highest priority communities in the Local Flood Strategy to include Barnstaple.

A study is underway to investigate the risk and consider what surface water improvements could be developed, Devon County Council’s cabinet has heard, with Barnstaple joining Exeter, Kingsbridge, Tiverton and Dawlish as high priority areas.

Cllr Roger Croad, cabinet member for community, public health, transportation and environmental services, said: “Following the recent flood events in Barnstaple we have re-evaluated our catchment prioritisation in accordance with the local strategy and Barnstaple has now been identified as one of our highest priorities. This means that a more detailed review of the flood risk will be investigated within the council’s next six year programme.

"Whatever the preferred option is will take time, but the difficulty is the area flooded is quite dispersed, and although opportunities for some quick wins will be explored it is quite normal to take five years plus from the date of an event to actually deliver the works.”

In the foreword to the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy for Devon and Annual Action Plan, Cllr Croad added:  “The effects of climate change, with more intense rainfall events are a growing concern and are considered for all flood risk management activity. This is particularly relevant for the reviewing of development proposals to ensure flood risk is not increased as a result.

“The use of sustainable drainage and natural flood management measures will be encouraged for all development and flood improvement works. A new addition to this revised local strategy is an indication of our highest priority communities that we aim to investigate over this next six year period.”

THE PRIORITY LIST

The strategy says that prioritising communities at risk of flooding for investment is a challenging task for Devon as there are many more communities at risk of flooding than can be realistically reviewed during the next funding period.

It adds: “Flooding is very stressful to all concerned, causing significant mental health but we need to be realistic in what can be delivered and manage expectations. There are a number of factors that must be considered, which need to be carefully balanced with potential opportunities, such as working in partnership with others to realign programmes and maximise funding sources.”

HIGH

Barnstaple, Exeter, Kingsbridge, Tiverton, Dawlish

MEDIUM HIGH

Teignmouth, Exmouth, Newton Abbot, Seaton, Kingsteignton, Totnes, Bideford, Ilfracombe, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth

MEDIUM

Crediton, Okehampton
 

WHAT WAS DONE IN 2020/21?

• A major scheme at Ivybridge protecting 76 properties at a cost of £650,000, the effectiveness of which was proven during the severe rainfall over the Christmas period
• The second phase of flood attenuation in the Northbrook catchment in Exeter, costing £175,000, to protect a further 20 properties on top of the previous 35 properties benefitting from the first phase completed last year;
• Stokeinteignhead Property Flood Resilience measures, supported by additional highway drainage improvements, benefitting 45 properties at a cost of £750,000 and which are due for completion in the next couple of months, once the listed building requirements are delivered
• In Sidmouth, through the first of two planned phases of work to protect 100 properties, based on the installation of a storage attenuation area at the grounds of the Knowle in Station Road, designed as a multi-functional amphitheatre, costing £850,000 and which is, also, due for completion in the next couple of months.
• Further schemes at Beeson, Broadhempston, Chillington and Colaton Raleigh are currently being investigated and developed for delivery and are included in the annual action plan for 2021/22.

PROJECTS FOR 2021/22

• Sidmouth Town Centre Surface Water Improvements – Delivery of surface water drainage improvements in the town centre.
• Colaton Raleigh – Catchment study, consideration of options and delivery of preferred option of upstream natural flood management
• Exeter Surface Water Improvements – Carry out investigations for Phase 3 of the surface water management improvements.
• Ilfracombe – Review of the Surface Water Management Plan and potential options.
• Ivybridge Flood Improvements – Upstream Natural Flood Management and inlet works.
• Beeson – Scheme to increase culvert capacity in the village and ensure risk is not passed on to others
• Chillington – Delivery of construction phase of flood improvements
• Kingsbridge Study – Contribution towards ongoing study and hydraulic modelling
• Newton Ferrers – Investigate surface runoff issues and deliver Natural Flood Management and Property Flood Resilience measures
• Frogmore – Final contribution towards the parish council led flood improvements.
• Broadhempston – Detailed design and delivery of Property Flood Resilience focussed flood improvements.
• Stokeinteignhead – Delivery of Property Flood Resilience measures and completion of drainage improvements
• Teignmouth – Review of the Surface Water Management Plan and potential options