The Environment Agency is getting ready to start on a £2.1 million scheme to improve the existing flood alleviation scheme for Bude in Cornwall and restore the ecological potential of the River Neet between Whalesborough Weir and Pethericks Mill Nature Reserve.

Bude has a long history of flooding, from the River Neet and Bude Canal, tidal surges and storm waves. Following an extreme flood event experienced during the 1950s, the Bude flood alleviation scheme was constructed. The scheme was later updated following a major fluvial flood in 1993.

Over time some elements of the scheme have declined in condition and require intervention to maintain the design standard of protection it provides.

Since the construction of the existing Bude flood alleviation scheme, Bude has still been significantly affected by further extreme events, with the most notable recent events occurring in :

• June 1993 when over 71 properties (residential and non-residential) were flooded due to fluvial and surface water flooding
• August 2004 when the river exceeded the defences at Bencoolen Bridge
• March 2008 saw high spring tides and strong winds, which resulted in coastal flooding
• January and February 2014 when high tide and wave progression up the River Neet resulted in defence overtopping at Nanny Moore’s Bridge and flooding of properties, exceeding the defence levels along the recreation ground and flooding the area around Leven Cottages

The flood defences identified as requiring attention are the earth flood embankment running between the canal and Bencoolen Bridge and the masonry-faced embankment Without action, the defences will continue to weaken and flood risk to nearby properties will increase, the Agency said.

The Crescent flood defence and river restoration project will better protect the local community and economy from flood events, predicted to increase in the near future as a result of climate change.

The proposed work will strengthen the existing flood defences - the earth flood embankment to the running between the canal and Bencoolen Bridge and the masonry-faced embankment on Ergue-Gaberic Way between the Masonic Hall and Nanny Moore’s Bridge.

The proposals focus on the renewal of the flood defence along Ergue-Gaberic Way. This work includes the construction of a new flood wall on the landward face of the bank behind the existing roadside kerb.

The Agency said the scheme will provide a solid foundation for future scheme improvements, protecting 22 residential properties and 15 commercial and community properties along The Crescent and Ergue-Gaberic Way, between the River Neet and Bude Canal.

The river restoration element of the project focuses on the River Neet upstream of Bude between Whalesbourough Weir and Pethericks Mill Nature Reserve. The Water Framework Directive is a European directive which aims to protect and improve the water environment. Under the directive, the River Neet currently has moderate ecological potential, with a requirement to achieve good ecological potential by 2027.

Measures to improve the status of the watercourse have previously been considered and investigated by the River Restoration Centre. These include in-channel enhancements such as narrowing and creating pinch points, as well as tree planting, which will encourage channel morphological diversity and improvements in habitat quality for a range of species, primarily fish.

Anticipated start date for construction work is February 2022 with estimated construction completion in late 2022.