Teignbridge Councillors John Goodey and Kevin Lake have sought assistance from their local MP in resolving flooding problems in Berrybrook Meadow in Exminster and Pye Corner in Kennford. Central Devon MP Mel Stride visited the problem areas last week and agreed to press Network Rail and the Environment Agency (EA) over the issues.
In Exminster, the problem centres around de-silting the Berrybrook stream and gullies running through the village with the EA reporting last summer that the gullies under the A379 and railway line were over 60% blocked with silt. Exminster Parish Council and Devon Highways undertook efforts to clear the gullies on the land that they were responsible for, and now Cllr Goodey and Cllr Lake have asked Network Rail to do the same on their land.
In Kennford, residents alerted the councillors to a return flap under the road bridge at Pyne Corner which appears to be wedged partially open and during the recent high levels of the river Kenn allowed water to flow back to the rear of a number of local properties. Mel agreed to chase the EA to establish who is responsible for the flap and to make sure it gets fixed.
Mel said:
“Kennford suffered terribly during the November 2012 flooding and every possible step needs to be taken to ensure water can drain quickly and easily when levels increase during bad weather and that water cannot flow back to problem areas. I will chase the EA for a solution to this problem and have written to Network Rail to repeat Cllr Goodey and Cllr Lake’s request for them to desilt the gullies on their land in Exminster.”
