| The
Environment Agency has taken immediate action to address
last week’s flooding in Ottery St Mary. The
move follows unexpected flooding the night of October
18 when 15 town centre businesses were flooded following
heavy rain. Water from the Furzebrook overflowed down
Brook Street after a screen at the entrance to a culvert
became blocked with debris washed down during the storm.
Following a public meeting, held within
hours of the flooding, with those affected and the town,
district and county councils, the Environment Agency has
introduced a series of new measures.
These measures include the installation
of a remote sensing device on the screen at the Chapel
Lane culvert to monitor water levels and automatically
alert the Environment Agency’s 24 hour control room when
the water reaches a height likely to cause flooding.
The Chapel Lane screen will be reassessed
to see if it can be altered in any way to prevent it blocking
so easily.
Inspections have been increased from
weekly to daily of flood defence screens in the town to
ensure they are not blocked and steps taken to reduce
the amount of debris in the channel. Landowners will be
reminded of their responsibility to keep the channel clear
and not to dispose of garden or other waste in the watercourse.
A study will be carried out to see
if changes in land use upstream of Ottery can be made
to reduce the amount of water entering the Furzebrook.
‘We have taken immediate action to
address the latest problems. We are very sorry about the
flooding but have pledged to work with the local community
to make improvement,’ said Adrian Rushworth for the Environment
Agency.
Last night up to 45 millimetres of
rain fell. Further heavy rain is forecast and the Environment
Agency will continue its 24 hour monitoring issuing flood
warnings as needed. Further information on flooding and
flood warnings is available from Floodline on 0845 988
1188. |
