Feniton flood prevention scheme delayed for another year

A community that 'gets anxious every time it rains' will have to wait until 2021 at the earliest before the next stage of a flood prevention scheme can be completed.

The first two phases of the flood alleviation scheme for Feniton were completed back in 2016, but numerous delays have since beset the project.

East Devon District Council had earlier this year finally agreed to move ahead with the third phase, which requires an undertrack crossing of the Exeter to Waterloo rail line, and was due to take place in May during a planned 52 hour weekend track closure, but that was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The next possession window for the work would be October 2020, but the council's cabinet on Tuesday night agreed not to take it up and instead wait for a window in 2021/22 when there was more security over the funding for the fourth and final phase, the construction of the remaining culverted sections of the scheme.

While the project is eligible for further Central Government Grant money, this has not yet formally signed off, and won't be until the Autumn, and councillors heard that if Phase 3 was built, but Phase 4 not funded, the project has wasted £770,000 for an unconnected culvert under the railway, and offering no flood risk reduction to Feniton, or East Devon would need to find another £1.5m to complete the project.

In February councillors had agreed to proceed with the project despite those risks, but with the council's finances in a more perilous position as a result of COVID-19, the cabinet unanimously agreed to delay the Phase 3 works until 2021 to ensure there is a fully funded project before committing significant funds towards a part completion.

By the Autumn of 2020, the council should know if the additional grant money to fund Phase 4 has been approved by central government, with the aim to deliver Phase 3 in 2021 and Phase 4 later that year.

Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council's portfolio holder for the environment, said: "We are doing all we can for flood prevention in Feniton and we hope to get it done next year if we get the funding."

Cllr Susie Bond, who represents the represents the Feniton ward, said that the news was disappointing and urged the cabinet to continue to support the scheme so it could be completed when possible.

She added: "I have lost track about the number of times I have spoken about the plight of residents and the fear of flooding in Feniton."

Severe flooding hit Feniton back in 2008 left the village as "unpassable" and many residents were unable to leave their houses due to the river of floodwater running past their homes. There were also several landslides in the area.

The medieval St Andrew's Church in Feniton Old Village was left under two feet of water, as were homes in the village centre.

Front gardens of houses were littered with flood-damaged white goods, furniture, books, a caravan and more.