Work begins on £3.8million flood scheme in Totnes
The Environment Agency has started work on the £3.8million scheme to reduce the risk of flooding to over 400 homes and businesses in Totnes.
High levels on the River Dart in Totnes, March 2008
The scheme involves improving existing flood defences along the River Dart from the mainline railway bridge to the Steam Packet Inn. Other measures include providing a new flood wall within Morrisons car park, raising Ashford slipway and providing flood resilience measures to individual properties and flood gates.
Work began on a section of the scheme which didn’t need planning permission in January but now South Hams District Council has given the rest of the scheme the green light.
Dan Boswell, for the Environment Agency, said:
This is a fantastic milestone for us and the residents we have been working with to help us shape our designs.
Since the construction of the original defences flood risk has changed and in recent years there have been at least 2 occasions – 2008 and 2014 - where some properties in the town have come close to flooding from the River Dart.
We always ask people to stay flood aware. People can check their flood risk online, by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by following @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.
Once work is completed on Broadmarsh Industrial Estate, work will move to the areas of New Walk, Throgmorton and the Morrisons car park.
March 2008
Designs for the scheme were drawn up following discussions with landowners and property owners and a public drop-in session in the town in April 2016 and follow-up discussions have been taking place since that time. The scheme is due to be completed by next winter.
Notes to editors
The project to improve flood defences in Totnes is separate from the planned work at Steamer Quay to repair the existing flood wall. It is hoped that this work will be completed in April 2017.