Posted on: 10 October 2018Devon County Council's Cabinet has rubberstamped a £759,000 scheme today (Wednesday) to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in Sidmouth.The Sidmouth Surface Water Improvement Scheme is a two-phase project which, once completed, will reduce the flood risk to around 100 properties.Dependent on funding and planning permission being granted, the work could start as early as January 2019.The first stage involves the construction of a new, larger drainage system in the town centre.These new highway gullies will divert surface water directly into the river Sid through a series of new outlets.Each of these outlets will be fitted with protective non-return flap-valves to prevent river flows backing-up.The second phase will be the construction of surface water storage at The Knowle. New gullies and a new piped system will also be installed to collect the surface water runoff and direct flows into this new storage area.An earth dam will be constructed at the Knowle with a controlled outlet to reduce the impact on the downstream drainage system by slowing down the flow.It is proposed that these works will take place from the autumn of 2019 to minimise disruption over the summer period.Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: "This scheme is vital for Sidmouth – it is one of the County Council's highest priorities for flood improvements. I am looking forward to working with our partners East Devon District Council, The Environment Agency, Southwest Water and Jacobs to deliver it. A number of detailed investigations have been carried out to develop this scheme in order to protect as many properties as possible."Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways Management and the Local Member for Sidmouth Sidford, said:

Councillor Stuart Hughes"I'm pleased that this scheme has been agreed by Cabinet and I am looking forward to working with our partners East Devon District Council, The Environment Agency, Southwest Water and Jacobs to deliver it. "We know from experience that parts of Sidmouth are particularly vulnerable to surface water flooding and we also know the impact flooding can have on homes and businesses – we saw that first hand in 2014 when 18 properties were flooded in the town. "Once completed this scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to around 100 of the most vulnerable properties."