Devon and Cornwall flood schemes get funding boost

Projects earmarked in the scheme include culvert replacement in Higher Brixham and flood defence improvements in Lympstone

Flood schemes in Devon and Cornwall will receive about £33m of government funding, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

It said the plan to put "fresh funding" into 70 flood schemes in the counties would help to "protect 27,000 more homes and businesses over the next year".

Projects earmarked in the scheme included a watercourse culvert replacement in Higher Brixham and flood defence scheme improvements at Wotton Brook in Lympstone.

Caroline Douglass, from the agency, said protecting communities from the devastating impact of flooding was a "priority."

Increased protection

She said: "The delivery of the schemes in Devon and Cornwall will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses who have experienced flooding in the past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues to change."

The EA said £853,000 would go towards improving the structural integrity of the culvert at Higher Brixham, which was expected to increase the protection levels of 70 properties in the area.

It also said £75,000 would go towards improving existing flood defences at Wotton Brook and "tying the flood wall into higher ground", which was forecast to offer better protection for 94 properties.

The EA said £4.5m would also go into a debris screen programme to assess and upgrade 166 debris screens across Devon and Cornwall.

Other areas highlighted for protection from river flooding, coastal erosion or surface water flooding included Exmouth, Bampton and Helston, it added.

Any schemes not included in the funding for 2025/26 would see local EA teams continuing to work with councils and flood groups to try and reduce flood risks, bosses said.