The Environment Agency is reviewing options to manage the risk of tidal flooding at Starcross and Cockwood on the Exe Estuary in Devon - identified as a priority scheme in the Exe Estuary Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy.

There are a number of areas within Starcross and Cockwood that have been identified as key flood routes and the Environment Agency will be considering these as part of the proposed scheme.

The proposed scheme is estimated to reduce flood risk to over 600 residential and commercial properties. Although funding is yet to be secured, the Agency said the scheme’s justification to receive grant funding from central government is strong. In addition to managing current flood risk, the scheme will also help to reduce the risk of future flooding resulting from climate change.

Flood risk at Starcross and Cockwood is sensitive to the impacts of climate change, due to predicted increases in wave heights and sea levels.

The Environment Agency is looking to start work at Starcross and Cockwood in line with planned works at Dawlish Warren - the proposed timings are as follows:

• Summer 2015: project appraisal stage (including seeking internal Environment Agency approval and funding for scheme)
• October 2015: public exhibition (date to be confirmed)
• October 2015 to Spring 2016: detailed design stage
• Spring 2016 to Autumn 2017: tendering the contract and then constructing the works.

Next steps

The Environment Agency is currently at the project appraisal stage, meaning that they need to make their case internally to acquire funding for the scheme. The Agency has also started discussions with community representatives, parish councils, government consenting bodies and landowners.

The Environment Agency is separately conducting research into flooding mechanisms within the area and will be carrying out walkover surveys and site investigations to review the quality and strength of the area’s current defences.

At this stage, no decisions have been made regarding the options the Environment Agency plans to use to address flooding. The decisions will be made at the next stage, when the Environment Agency plans to identify a number of possible methods.

A public exhibition to obtain stakeholders ‘comment on the proposed flood risk management plans during is currently planned for October 2015.

Click here for more information on the upcoming Flood Defence and Prevention Expo and conference in London in October