Sticklepath set to benefit from flood resilience boost

The Sticklepath area of Barnstaple will benefit from a funding boost aimed at improving flood resilience in the region.

Devon County Council (DCC) has announced that a number of flood risk management schemes, including the completion of the Property Flood Resilience scheme in Sticklepath, will be funded through increased capital allocations for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

The additional funding of £152,500 for 2025/26 and £142,500 for 2026/27 was approved at a DCC cabinet meeting on Wednesday, March 12.

These funds, secured through Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid, will support DCC’s ongoing efforts to safeguard vulnerable communities from flooding.

Councillor Roger Croad, DCC’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, and Equality, highlighted that the funding increase comes in the wake of significant flooding in 2023 and 2024, which affected more than 400 properties in 2023 and at least 87 properties in 2024.

In response, a range of flood protection projects are being developed across the county, including improvements to Sticklepath. 

The Property Flood Resilience scheme in the area is expected to protect 40 properties, helping to mitigate future flood risks.

Other initiatives include drainage improvements in Coburg Road, Sidmouth, which aim to reduce surface runoff and protect 17 properties and businesses, as well as flood improvement works in Venn Ottery, designed to safeguard at least eight properties. Additional schemes in Colaton Raleigh, Broadhempston, South Pool, and Longbrook Street in Exeter will also provide flood protection for at least 40 properties.

Councillor Croad expressed the importance of these initiatives. 

He said: “This additional funding over the next two financial years is welcome. Unfortunately, it comes off the back of further flooding last year where some householders experienced water of more than a metre deep in their homes which caused significant distress, disruption and damage. However, we are committed to help protect people’s properties and without our interventions through previous Flood Risk Management Action Plans the damage would have been more widespread and significantly worse.”

He continued: “Our prioritised approach to flood risk management and collaborative working with other Risk Management Authorities is successfully reducing flood risk to some of the most vulnerable areas in the county. The ongoing threat and in many cases the reality of flooding highlights the need to continue investing and support of those communities most at risk. We are committed to implementing measures to reduce flood risk to communities across Devon and we will continue to work to maximise funding to make a real difference to our residents.”