Totnes’ improved flood defense scheme had its opening ribbon cut by Philip Rees, Chairman of the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, and South Hams District councilor John Tucker on Friday, 7 December, 2018.
The Environment Agency’s £3.8 million improvements were needed to reduce the significant risk of river and tidal flooding.
The scheme was financed by Defra grant-in-aid through the South West Flood and Coastal Committee and £110,000 from South Hams District Council.
Totnes is a historic town and the Environment Agency has made sure the flood defenses are sympathetic to the built and natural environment, whilst reducing flood risk to more than 400 homes and businesses.
George Arnison, Environment Agency Flood Risk Funding Manager , said: “ The risk of flooding in Totnes has increased over time. This is partly due to changes in land use in the area and partly due to the effects of climate change on rainfall patterns and sea levels.”
“The scheme that we opened in Totnes on Friday, which raises and extends the towns flood defenses over a distance of nearly 1.5 kilometers, reduces that risk significantly. Over 400 houses and businesses are now significantly better protected from river and tidal flooding.”
The flood defenses stretch along the River Dart from Broadmarsh Industrial Estate downstream to the Steam Packet Inn. They comprise a mix of different measures to ensure the works were sensitive and sympathetic to both the built and natural environments.