The Environment Agency has received financial approval for the design and construction of the £8.5 million tidal defence scheme for Shaldon and Ringmore. Many of the properties in Shaldon and Ringmore are built on low-lying ground, which would probably have been saltmarsh hundreds of years ago. They now lie in a basin behind the existing estuary walls.

In 2005, the Environment Agency and the local community agreed that Shaldon is at serious risk of tidal flooding and a flood defence scheme was needed. In Shaldon an extreme tide is caused when a ‘normal’ high tide coincides with a surge caused by low pressure systems (stormy weather). A flood with a 1 in 50 chance of happening in any one year could cause extensive flooding to the village with the basin filled completely during a single tide. A grant of £8.5 million has now been agreed to spend on the scheme.

‘We will need other approvals along the way, such as Planning Permission, but this is a major step forward. If all goes to plan, we hope to start construction in the autumn of 2009,’ said Megan Rimmer for the Environment Agency.

‘The effects of an extreme flood from the estuary would be devastating for the village. We are committed to progressing the right solution to reduce the risk of tidal flooding in Shaldon and Ringmore.’

The Environment Agency has worked with a Liaison Group of local volunteers to come up with a scheme that is both effective and acceptable in the community. It held a public exhibition in June 2007 and the proposed scheme is to raise existing foreshore walls where possible and reconstruct where needed. There will be eight flood gates which will be operated locally and the Agency will continue to work with the Liaison Group throughout the development of the project.

‘Following the allocation of funds we now enter a challenging and exciting few years as we work on the flood defence improvements. We have been working hard with the Environment Agency to ensure this is the right scheme for Shaldon and Ringmore. Everybody worked together on the proposal which was the key to our success,‘ said Professor Peter Williams from the Liaison Group and Chairman of Shaldon Parish Council.