Work will get underway next week on a new flood embankment around Exwick playing fields  is part of the second phase of Exeter’s £32 million flood defence scheme.

The work will be carried out in stages by contractor BMM, with construction expected to be completed by spring 2017.

The Environment Agency said work is already progressing well on Phase 2 of the Exeter scheme – the work, which started in July, aims to reduce flood risk to 3,200 homes and businesses.

Phase 1 of the scheme started in 2014 and saw construction work just downstream of Exeter Quay. The Trew’s flood relief channel and the side spill weir at the top of the channel have been lowered. This increased the flow capacity of the flood relief channel, which will help reduce flood risk during high river flows. The check weir at the downstream end of the flood relief channel will be removed later in 2016 to increase flow capacity further.

Exeter City Council and Devon County Council have each contributed £3 million to the scheme, £6 million has come from government growth funding and the remainder is being funded by flood defence grant in aid.