The Environment Agency has published an update on its plans for the proposed £30 million Exeter flood defence scheme - which it is working on in partnership with Exeter City Council and Devon County Council.

The existing flood defences date back to the 1960s and 70s - and although the current flood defences have worked effectively over the past 40 years, studies carried out by the Environment Agency indicate that in a more extreme flood the current scheme would not be able to protect vulnerable parts of the city.

Public events were held earlier this month to show people the proposed designs for phase 2 of the Exeter flood defence scheme and seek views on the options presented. Feedback from the events will now be used to help the partnership build on the information they received at public events held last year and in 2011.

The preferred solution was for a flood defence scheme based on improvements and extensions to the existing defences. Initial designs were put together and these were shown at further public meetings and exhibitions held in 2013. Feedback from these events helped the partnership develop outline designs.

Deadline for comments (which can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) is  Friday 15 August 2014.

The proposed flood defence improvements and new work on the Exeter flood defence scheme will take place in 2 phases. Phase 1 is due to start next month, when contractors will be deepening the existing Trew’s flood relief channel and lowering the side spill weir at the top of the channel. This will increase its flow capacity which will help reduce flood risk during high flows. The check weir at the downstream end of the flood relief channel is being removed to further increase capacity. This will mean that the bottom half of the channel may be submerged during high tides.

A meandering stream also will be created through the centre of the flood relief channel to improve the habitat for wildlife, together with fish passes which will be constructed on Trew’s weir and the side spill weir.

Construction of the main works is planned to begin in 2015, and the aim is to complete the scheme by late 2017.

The scheme will cost around £30 million to complete and benefits from £6 million of government growth funding which was set aside to promote economic growth in places affected by flooding. Exeter City Council and Devon County Council are each contributing £3 million to the scheme; the remainder is being funded by flood defence grant in aid.

It is estimated the scheme will provide £200 million of direct economic benefit to Exeter.