The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, will open a new £12 million flood defense scheme in Dawlish Warren today, aimed to reduce flood risk to 2800 homes and businesses around the Exe Estuary, as well as the main rail line into South Devon and Cornwall.
With elements including a new 100 meter long flood wall and over 200,000 cubic meters of sand, Dawlish Warren uses top engineering techniques and the natural landscape to reduce flood risk, while also conserving habitat for birds and wildlife.
“ Our £2.6 billion investment program is well underway, with 100,000 more properties already better protected from flooding and that figure set to triple in under four years ,” said Gove.
“Dawlish Warren is only one of 350 new defenses built since 2015 and work continues on schemes across the country – all of which are helping to bring peace of mind to communities, as well as investment and opportunities.”
As the Environment Secretary opens one flood scheme for Devon, he will simultaneously announce that work will begin next year on another £12 million scheme just across the estuary, in Exmouth.
Both schemes are part of the government’s continued £115 million investment drive to reduce flood risk to 15,000 homes and businesses in Devon and Cornwall by 2021.
The United Kingdom public sector information website, GOV.UK, said in their latest release that the flood defenses continue to be built apace across England and 100,000 properties are now better protected thanks to the 350 new flood schemes that have been completed since April 2015.
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