East Devon's final phase of £6m flood scheme to begin

The fourth phase of the project in Feniton is expected to take around 12 months, with most work taking place in fields around the village.

Some road and public area closures will be necessary during the work, with the first closures in Ottery Road set to begin in November.

This will be followed by closures in Green Lane and Wells Avenue in December.

The completed scheme will reduce the flood risk to 65 homes and help prevent disruption to the primary school and transport.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) gave the green light for the project in July, entering a contract with principal contractor Kier, who will set up a compound on Green Lane in August.

Feniton has experienced flooding since the 1970s, with severe floods in 2008 affecting 60 properties.

The Feniton flood in 2008 (Image: East Devon District Council)

In response to the 2008 flood, EDDC, the Environment Agency and Devon County Council developed a scheme to collect flood water from above the village and divert it through a 1,050mm diameter pipe.

This will supplement the capacity of the existing watercourse.

East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for coast, country and environment, Councillor Geoff Jung, said: "I am so pleased to be able to confirm the final phase of Feniton’s flood alleviation scheme will be starting shortly.

"This project to help protect vulnerable properties from the threat of flooding has been a long time coming, and the phase 4 final section of the engineering jigsaw will join the other 3 phases to complete these important works.

"Finally, we have all the necessary steps completed by working with the many stakeholders and regulatory bodies to ensure the delivery of a resilient flooding solution for the people of Feniton."

EDDC's Feniton ward councillor, Councillor Alasdair Bruce, said: "The announcement of the start of this vital part of the flood alleviation scheme will come as very welcome news by the residents of Feniton.

"Whilst there is going to be a certain amount of short-term local disruption, I know that the long-term security from future flooding will be worth the inconvenience."

Feniton Parish Council’s chairman, Councillor Martyn Smith, said: "Flooding has been on the Parish Council agenda every month for nearly two decades.

"Having been involved with the original concept, walking the proposed route with the Environment Agency and our MP at the time, we have seen the project have its ups and downs.

"It is of great credit to EDDC and its engineers that they have now taken the project to its final conclusion."

He added that this would be a "massive relief" to everyone in the village.

In 2022, phase 3 work to install a new culvert pipe at the undertrack rail crossing was completed.

The culvert diverts surface water from around the village to prevent flooding.

In 2016, phase 2 work involved watercourse improvement work and individual property protection for three properties.

New flood gates, flood walls and stop logs are now in place at these homes.

Work on phase 1, which involved the construction of a length of new watercourse, was completed in January 2016.