The scheme involves improving existing flood defences along the River Dart from the mainline railway bridge to the Steam Packet Inn. Other measures include providing a new flood wall within Morrisons car park, raising Ashford slipway and providing flood resilience measures to individual properties and flood gates.

Work began on a section of the scheme which didn’t need planning permission in January but now South Hams District Council has given the rest of the scheme the green light.

Dan Boswell, for the Environment Agency, said:

This is a fantastic milestone for us and the residents we have been working with to help us shape our designs.

Since the construction of the original defences flood risk has changed and in recent years there have been at least 2 occasions – 2008 and 2014 – where some properties in the town have come close to flooding from the River Dart.

We always ask people to stay flood aware. People can check their flood risk online, by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by following @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter for the latest flood updates.

Once work is completed on Broadmarsh Industrial Estate, work will move to the areas of New Walk, Throgmorton and the Morrisons car park.

Designs for the scheme were drawn up following discussions with landowners and property owners and a public drop-in session in the town in April 2016 and follow-up discussions have been taking place since that time.
The scheme is due to be completed by next winter.

Notes to editors

The project to improve flood defences in Totnes is separate from the planned work at Steamer Quay to repair the existing flood wall. It is hoped that this work will be completed in April 2017.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in flood and coastal risk management across Devon and Cornwall, heading up a committee that works closely with other public bodies and interest groups.

In addition to leadership skills, the chair must be able to provide strategic direction, stimulate discussion and be an effective networker and influencer. He or she will also be required to work with other flood committee chairs and develop a good understanding of government priorities for flood management.

Ben Johnstone, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

This is a great role, working to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. The challenges are varied and will become more significant as our climate changes. We have a huge exposed coastline, rapid responding catchments, river and surface water flooding, not just in urban areas, but spread all across hundreds of rural communities.

How we think about managing risks is changing. We need to design to work with and co-exist with nature. As the committee chair you will be instrumental in making this happen.

The South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee is one of 12 committees across the country that make key decisions on local priorities for flood and coastal risk management.

The committee is made up of members appointed by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and independent members with relevant experience and sets out to achieve the following goals:

• ensuring suitable plans are in place for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines
• encouraging the appropriate level of investment in flood and coastal risk management that provides value for money and benefits local communities.
• providing a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other risk management authorities and relevant bodies to increase understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area

People from a wide range of backgrounds are invited to apply for this post, especially those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and women who are currently under-represented on regional flood and coastal committees.

Further information is available from the Cabinet Office. The closing date for applications is 20 March 2017.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in flood and coastal risk management across Devon and Cornwall, heading up a committee that works closely with other public bodies and interest groups.

In addition to leadership skills, the chair must be able to provide strategic direction, stimulate discussion and be an effective networker and influencer. He or she will also be required to work with other flood committee chairs and develop a good understanding of government priorities for flood management.

Ben Johnstone, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

This is a great role, working to reduce the risk of flooding and coastal erosion in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. The challenges are varied and will become more significant as our climate changes. We have a huge exposed coastline, rapid responding catchments, river and surface water flooding, not just in urban areas, but spread all across hundreds of rural communities.

How we think about managing risks is changing. We need to design to work with and co-exist with nature. As the committee chair you will be instrumental in making this happen.

The South West Regional Flood and Coastal Committee is one of 12 committees across the country that make key decisions on local priorities for flood and coastal risk management.

The committee is made up of members appointed by Lead Local Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and independent members with relevant experience and sets out to achieve the following goals:

• ensuring suitable plans are in place for identifying, communicating and managing flood and coastal erosion risks across catchments and shorelines
• encouraging the appropriate level of investment in flood and coastal risk management that provides value for money and benefits local communities.
• providing a link between the Environment Agency, LLFAs, other risk management authorities and relevant bodies to increase understanding of flood and coastal erosion risks in its area

People from a wide range of backgrounds are invited to apply for this post, especially those from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and women who are currently under-represented on regional flood and coastal committees.

Further information is available from the Cabinet Office. The closing date for applications is 20 March 2017.

Construction will start this summer on a £4 million flood storage area which will reduce the risk of flooding to nearly 300 homes and businesses in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Broadway Parish Council and Childswickham Parish Council have been working in partnership and have now secured over £2 million Government Grant in Aid funding, enabling the scheme construction to begin. The Environment Agency’s English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee have also contributed over £1 million. To enable access to the Government Grant in Aid funding under Defra’s Flood Partnership Funding Model, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are contributing £555,000 and the local parishes have raised £312,000.

Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot were severely flooded in 2007 following record breaking rainfall across the area. The new flood storage area in Broadway will be able to hold up to 135,000 cubic metres of water during times of flood and will only allow a set amount of water to flow downstream at times of intense and high rainfall. This will reduce flood risk along the Badsey Brook downstream of Broadway.

The English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) continues to support the scheme and provided funding which allowed the Environment Agency to purchase the 18 acre field where the majority of the flood storage area is to be located.

As a condition of the planning application detailed archaeological investigations, part funded by Worcestershire County Council, are being carried out. This involves excavation work and will reduce the risk of delays during construction. These ground works are almost complete.

Specialist contractors are currently on site carrying out tree clearance in preparation for the main flood scheme works.

Daniel Wilkinson, from the Environment Agency, said:

Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, so it’s great that by working together with our partners we have managed to find a solution which means we are now one step closer to reducing the risk of flooding for residents living in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Cllr Anthony Blagg, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said:

Now that the archaeological work is nearing completion, this project can move on to the next stage and closer to protecting homes and businesses with this innovative flood alleviation scheme.

Cllr Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment and street scene on Wychavon District Council, said:

It’s almost 10 years since the floods of 2007 but none of us will forget the devastating impact they had. This scheme will help reduce the risk of future flooding and provide greater protection to communities in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Kevin Beasley, from Broadway Parish Council, said:

We are very pleased that the flood alleviation scheme is progressing well and that the residents of both Broadway, Childwickham and Murcot will be more reassured that the properties are safer from flooding and the devastation that they have previously experienced, once the work is completed.

County Cllr for Broadway in Worcestershire, Liz Eyre BEM, said:

This project represents an enormous amount of hard work behind the scenes. I am simply delighted that sticking by the project, working with talented county and district officers at all levels and the Environment Agency has led to this, a real outcome for my residents.

Construction will start this summer on a £4 million flood storage area which will reduce the risk of flooding to nearly 300 homes and businesses in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Broadway Parish Council and Childswickham Parish Council have been working in partnership and have now secured over £2 million Government Grant in Aid funding, enabling the scheme construction to begin. The Environment Agency’s English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee have also contributed over £1 million. To enable access to the Government Grant in Aid funding under Defra’s Flood Partnership Funding Model, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are contributing £555,000 and the local parishes have raised £312,000.

Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot were severely flooded in 2007 following record breaking rainfall across the area. The new flood storage area in Broadway will be able to hold up to 135,000 cubic metres of water during times of flood and will only allow a set amount of water to flow downstream at times of intense and high rainfall. This will reduce flood risk along the Badsey Brook downstream of Broadway.

The English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) continues to support the scheme and provided funding which allowed the Environment Agency to purchase the 18 acre field where the majority of the flood storage area is to be located.

As a condition of the planning application detailed archaeological investigations, part funded by Worcestershire County Council, are being carried out. This involves excavation work and will reduce the risk of delays during construction. These ground works are almost complete.

Specialist contractors are currently on site carrying out tree clearance in preparation for the main flood scheme works.

Daniel Wilkinson, from the Environment Agency, said:

Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, so it’s great that by working together with our partners we have managed to find a solution which means we are now one step closer to reducing the risk of flooding for residents living in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Cllr Anthony Blagg, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said:

Now that the archaeological work is nearing completion, this project can move on to the next stage and closer to protecting homes and businesses with this innovative flood alleviation scheme.

Cllr Emma Stokes, portfolio holder for environment and street scene on Wychavon District Council, said:

It’s almost 10 years since the floods of 2007 but none of us will forget the devastating impact they had. This scheme will help reduce the risk of future flooding and provide greater protection to communities in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

Kevin Beasley, from Broadway Parish Council, said:

We are very pleased that the flood alleviation scheme is progressing well and that the residents of both Broadway, Childwickham and Murcot will be more reassured that the properties are safer from flooding and the devastation that they have previously experienced, once the work is completed.

County Cllr for Broadway in Worcestershire, Liz Eyre BEM, said:

This project represents an enormous amount of hard work behind the scenes. I am simply delighted that sticking by the project, working with talented county and district officers at all levels and the Environment Agency has led to this, a real outcome for my residents.