Flooding in KentonOur annual Flood Risk Management Action Plan for the upcoming financial year has been rubber stamped by councillors.
At the meeting of our ruling cabinet committee today (Wednesday March 12) members also approved increasing the capital programme by £152,500 for 2025/26 and by £142,500 for 2026/27.
The increases will be funded through Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid to support DCC’s unique Property Flood Resilience scheme.
Our cabinet heard that the funding increases follows the flooding of more than 400 properties in 2023 and least 87 properties in 2024.
To help safeguard at risk communities in Devon, a number of projects are currently being developed and delivered.
These include the completion of the Property Flood Resilience scheme in the Sticklepath area of Barnstaple, which will protect 40 properties, the delivery of drainage improvements in Coburg Road, Sidmouth, to reduce surface runoff being directed into the town centre, reducing the flood risk to at least 17 properties and businesses in the town and flood improvement works in Venn Ottery which will help protect at least eight properties.
Additionally, the delivery of schemes in Colaton Raleigh, Broadhempston, South Pool and Longbrook Street in Exeter is imminent and collectively will help safeguard at least 40 properties.
Councillor Roger Croad, our Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Equality said:
“This additional funding over the next two financial years is welcome.
“Unfortunately, it comes off the back of further flooding last year where some householders experienced water of more than a metre deep in their homes which caused significant distress, disruption and damage.
“However, we are committed to help protect people’s properties and without our interventions through previous Flood Risk Management Action Plans the damage would have been more widespread and significantly worse.
“Our prioritised approach to flood risk management and collaborative working with other Risk Management Authorities is successfully reducing flood risk to some of the most vulnerable areas in the county.
“The ongoing threat and in many cases the reality of flooding highlights the need to continue investing and support of those communities most at risk.
“We are committed to implementing measures to reduce flood risk to communities across Devon and we will continue to work to maximise funding to make a real difference to our residents.”
