More than 11,000 homes across Cornwall and Devon now better protected from flooding
The Environment Agency says a raft of schemes to reduce storm damage have been completed, including one in Helston
More than 11 thousand homes across Cornwall and Devon are now better protected from flooding.
The Environment Agency says it has completed a raft of schemes to reduce storm damage.
They include a £5.4 million project to safeguard over 120 houses in Helston, the first phase of which is pictured above.
Operations Manager Andrew Houghton says upgrades in the Loe Bar area have already been put to the test.
"People of Helston will know better than anybody there's been a series of flood events over the last 50 years. People will remember December and January, particularly, were very wet. The new flood scheme we've just completed worked immediately to protect the community from flooding.
"With climate change we'll see increased storminess and increased high-flows in flood-risk communities. The Environment Agency's extremely active, working with our partners, to deliver flood-risk improvements and ensure our existing flood schemes are fit for the future and climate resilient".
Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, Andrew Houghton
The River Cober at Helston before Phase 2 of a scheme to protect homes from flooding...
What do the figures show?
11,205 homes in Devon and Cornwall are better protected from the effects of climate change compared with 2015, the Environment Agency has announced today (Wednesday 24 March). This number forms part of more than 300,000 homes better protected across England.
Exceeding its target in delivering the government's £2.6 billion investment in flood and coastal defence schemes since 2015, the Environment Agency and partners have completed more than 700 projects nationally to better protect more than 300,000 homes, nearly 600,000 acres of agricultural land, thousands of businesses and major pieces of infrastructure.
The delivery of the nation's new defences, which has continued through lockdown with Covid-secure working arrangements, will not only help to save the economy more than £28 billion in avoided damages over the lifetime of defence assets, but also provide reassurance and peace of mind for communities and encourage economic growth.
The successful delivery of the programme comes ahead of the start of the record £5.2 billion investment in 2,000 new flood and coastal defences between 2021 and 2027.
"300,000 homes better protected against flooding is fantastic - the real achievement is the sense of security that this brings to individual households and communities.
"With a new flood and coastal risk management strategy in place and with G7 happening locally the spotlight has never been more firmly focused on climate change and the need to adapt.
"With more instances of extreme weather bringing an increase in flooding and coastal erosion, we know there's still a lot more to do".
Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Director at the Environment Agency, Helen Dobby
The River Cober at Helston after Phase 2 of a scheme to protect homes from flooding...
What work has been carried out in Helston?
The Helston flood alleviation scheme was completed in December 2020. The £5.4 million scheme provides better protection from flooding for 121 homes in Helston.
The scheme was constructed in two phases. Phase one, at Loe Bar, was accelerated following Storm damage in January 2018. Damage to the outfall tunnel at Loe Bar meant many properties in Helston were at risk of flooding as rising water in Loe Pool prevented the River Cober from discharging to the sea. This phase came with a number of challenges caused by working in a dramatic but exposed environment with construction taking place between tides and evacuation plans in place to keep workers safe.
Construction of Phase 2 of the scheme started only a month before the first national Covid-19 lockdown in February 2020. With additional safety protocols in place, work continued throughout 2020, except for a 4-week period in April when material could not be sourced. Construction was completed just before this winter's first storm. The design and construction of this part of the scheme provided various carbon and cost efficiencies, changing the design to reduce material and transport costs saving money and reducing carbon emission.
"Across Devon and Cornwall, more than 11,000 homes are now better protected against the damage and misery of flooding.
"Our teams and partner agencies have worked throughout the pandemic, amending sites to be Covid-secure, to achieve this impressive level of protection.
"But it doesn't stop there, we're already working hard to deliver the next six year programme, which will see £180 million invested locally to better protect 8,889 properties in Devon and Cornwall by 2027".
Flood and Coastal Erosion Manager, Ben Johnstone