Flooding protection for Clyst St Mary

CLYST St Mary residents can soon look forward to dry winters thanks to a nearly completed scheme improving flood protection.

CLYST St Mary residents can soon look forward to dry winters thanks to a nearly completed scheme improving flood protection.

The Environment Agency is currently re-furbishing an earth floodbank, parts of which date from the mid-19th century and is showing signs of deterioration.

The �180,000 project involves installing steel piling along the bank between the A3052 Exeter to Sidmouth Road and the historic old Clyst St Mary Bridge.

The village suffers from serious flooding, with more than 40 properties at serious risk.

Work on the nine-week project started in early January and is expected to be finished by mid-March.

Kevin Woodley, of the Environment Agency, said: "This scheme is a good example of how Local Levy money can be put to good use to help local communities and reduce flood risk.

"There have been problems with flooding in the past when the River Clyst has over-topped its banks.

"Part of the old flood bank has settled over time and is in need of refurbishment."

The Local Levy is money paid to the South West Regional Flood Defence Committee by local authorities.

The Environment Agency had to obtain special permission from English Heritage before starting work on the scheme because of the historical importance of the old bridge.

A professional archaeologist has been on site during excavations looking for any interesting or unusual archaeological remains.