First spade in the ground marks the final phase of Feniton’s Flood Alleviation scheme
Work to complete the £6m flood alleviation scheme for Feniton is now underway.
Once completed the scheme will help to minimise flood risk for up to one hundred homes, as well as preventing disruption to the primary school and local transport network.
Although flooding in the village dates back to the 1970s, sixty properties in Feniton suffered flooding in 2008 as the existing watercourse was unable to cope with the quantity of water during storm conditions. Since then homes have flooded every two or three years.
Following the 2008 flooding, East Devon District Council and partner agencies, the Environment Agency and Devon County Council, agreed to develop a scheme to collect flood water from above the village and divert it via a 1050mm diameter pipe down through the village to increase the capacity of the existing watercourse.
The final phase of the alleviation scheme will take approximately one year to complete. Work will take place in and around the village, surrounding fields, playpark, Warrick Close, Wells Avenue through to the southern part of the village, finishing in outfall on the corner of Ottery Road / Green Lane. Throughout the works there will be some necessary road closures.
Complementing the existing drainage system, the scheme will protect homes to a ‘1-in-100-year chance event’ standard from flooding. Downstream channel capacity has already been increased as part of Phases 1 and 2. In the north, a new inlet structure will collect flood flows from the hillside, taking them through the new culvert pipe, under the already completed railway crossing, known as Phase 3, and back into the watercourse south of the village.
East Devon District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Coast, Country and Environment, Cllr Geoff Jung said: “I am delighted that the final phase of Feniton’s Flood Alleviation Scheme has started with the Kier team onsite. Protecting vulnerable properties from the threat of flooding is crucial, and the phase 4 final section will complete these important works.
“Whilst there might be some inconvenience for local people, with diversions and road closures, the overall benefits will outweigh these in the long term and we will ensure a resilient flooding solution for the people of Feniton is delivered.”
EDDC's Feniton ward councillor, Cllr Alasdair Bruce, said: “At last, this long-awaited scheme is entering its final phase. I know there will some short-term disruption to resident’s lives. However, the long-term gain in the form of future proofed flood protection is well worth the small inconvenience . I am sure there will be many in the village that will sleep a little better once this scheme is completed. A big shout out must go to the Parish Council and EDDC officers who have fought through, what seemed at times like treacle, to keep this alive and across the line. Well done one and all.”
Feniton Parish Council’s Chairman, Cllr Martyn Smith, said: “Having been involved with this scheme for over a decade, with its ups and downs, with some believing it would never happen, it is a massive relief to me and my fellow Parish Councillors that it is now going to be finished.”
