The Environment Agency and East Devon District Council have spent £12 million of Government funding, building new and improving existing defences at The Royal Avenue, Camperdown Creek and The Esplanade.

The flood risk to residents and 400 businesses in the area has been reduced from a 4% chance of flooding every year to a 0.5% chance. This accounts for climate change and rising sea levels, with the option of improving the defences in the future. Further improvements should not be needed before 2045 based on current predictions.

However, the Agency have cautioned that while the Exmouth tidal defence scheme reduces the chance of flooding from the sea but there is still a risk of flooding from rivers and surface water.

The flood defences have been built to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 1,400 homes in Exmouth. The Exmouth tidal defence scheme has 28 flood gates.

An extra 26 new flood gates have been installed, to accompany the 2 already in place at Mamhead Slipway. The gates that cross the road will be operated by East Devon District Council. Other gates will be operated by teams of community volunteers.

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for Coast, Country and Environment, said:

“The protection of people’s houses, shops and businesses from flooding is a key objective of East Devon District Council`s initiative on combating the effects of climate change.

“We are most grateful for the help and assistance of the Environment Agency and contractor Kier in providing this tidal defence scheme. Also, to the team of volunteers and staff who will be operating the flood gates for the years to come.”

Philip Rees of the South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee commented:

“Exmouth was at significant risk of flooding before this project began.

“These new defences have drastically reduced that risk of flooding as well as taking the future into account so people and businesses can continue living and working here.”

Flood embankments and walls were raised as part of the scheme. A large proportion of the work has been along the sea front, including the Esplanade from the Grove pub in the west, to just beyond the clock tower in the east. The Esplanade between these two points will be allowed to flood in extreme conditions. However, the new walls and flood gates will prevent this water from flowing into Exmouth. New drainage infrastructure will return flood water to the sea once the storm has passed.

Floods Minister, Trudy Harrison, said:

“Exmouth’s new flood defences and further schemes across the country will be more important than ever to build a more resilient nation against greater weather extremes.”

“This is why we are pressing ahead with our record £5.2 billion investment in flood and coastal defences across England.”

Climate change and growing flood risk – the upcoming Floodex 2022 event which takes place in London on 23rd and 24th November will highlight the need for multi-sector partnerships and collaboration to tackle growing flood risk in the face of the accelerating impacts of climate change. Click here to register for free entry