The Environment Agency has published a document to show the environmental impact of the first phase of Exeter’s multi-million pound flood defence scheme.

The scheme is being jointly funded by the Environment Agency, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council, and ultimately will reduce the risk of flooding for over 3,200 homes and businesses across the city. It is planned to construct the scheme in two phases over the next four years.

The £26 million scheme will be funded from Flood Defence Grants in Aid money of £14 million. Exeter City Council and Devon County Council have each contributed £3 million to the scheme.

A further £6 million has also been made available from the Government’s additional growth fund which was set up by the Government after the floods in November 2012. Its purpose is to award additional funding for schemes which will contribute to economic growth. It is estimated that the scheme will provide £204 million of direct economic benefit to Exeter.

The Exeter scheme is one of 9 projects selected for the additional funding referred to in yesterday's National Infrastructure Plan which the Government said it intends to particularly monitor.

The published environmental statement describes what will be done to minimise adverse impacts and improve the local environment during the first phase of the works.

The statement will be available for 28 days for anyone who wishes to provide comments in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvement works.

The Environment Agency, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council will use the Environmental Statement, and the comments received on it, to assess the effects of the work on the environment and inform their final decision about whether the work should proceed.

The proposed improvement works to the flood defence on the River Exe in Exeter are between Exe Railway Bridge and Ducks Marsh. Works are planned to begin in 2014. There will be some preparatory vegetation clearance work over the winter, with construction work starting in the spring.

George Arnison for the Environment Agency commented:

‘We need to start the first phase of work in early 2014 as some work, like vegetation clearance, needs to be done at specific times of year to minimise disturbance to the natural environment. Before work starts the partnership will be talking to people, likely to be affected during the work, to find out how it will affect them and what could be done to minimise disruption. The plans for the second phase of work are currently being developed. People will be asked for their views on these designs before summer 2014.’ 

Copies of the statement and non-technical summary can be seen on the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/exeter. A

The designs for phase two of the scheme are still being developed. People will be asked for their views in Spring 2014. The project is expected to be completed in late 2017.