Starcross: Flooding and the Community
This paper is a working document, last updated November 2015
Why should Starcross take an interest in Flooding?
Rising Sea Levels
Sea levels have been rising since the last Ice Age – on average 2mm per year. Over the last two
decades this has increased to about 3mm per year, due to rising sea temperatures and the melting of
ice sheets such as those in Antarctica and Greenland. It is anticipated that over the next 25 years sea
levels locally could rise by a further 10cms, and in the following 25 years by a further 20cms. Another
factor which will affect sea levels in the estuary is the management of the sand spit at Dawlish
Warren. Maintaining the sand spit as a defence against flooding is potentially very expensive – recent
years have seen significant erosion of the sand dunes, exposure of the gabions and undermining of the
groynes - but allowing it to follow a more natural course, and potentially to breach, as has happened
every 30 – 40 years in past centuries, would result in high tides in the estuary rising by a further
10cms on average, and wave heights during storms by 30cms.
Increased Frequency of Extreme Weather Events
It is also expected that rising sea temperatures will lead to a 10% increase in the severity and
frequency of storms. This also increases the probability of flooding in low lying coastal areas.
What are the implications of this for Starcross?
Tidal Flooding. Most of the village, including the residential areas in the centre of the village, lies up
to 1 metre below the level of the highest spring tides. Starcross is already dependent upon the railway
embankment for protection against tidal flooding at high spring tides several times per year. Rising
sea levels and increasing frequency of storms may mean that our current sea defences become no
longer adequate to provide good protection against flooding. The Environment Agency advises that
without further action to sustain and improve flood defences locally, including the railway line, the
risk of significant flooding in the village will increase from a 1 in 50 chance in any year, as it is at
present, to an almost certainty of flooding at least once a year by the end of the century. The slipways
running under the railway embankment at Generals Lane, at the Fishing and Cruising Club, and near
the junction of the A379 with Estuary Road by Exeleigh are identified as potentially weak points
through which flooding could occur, as well as Cockwood Harbour. The first week of February 2014
brought significant flooding of roads and some homes as tidal waters overtopped the Estuary Road
slipway, and also the railway line at its lowest point just north of the station platform in Starcross..
Rainfall and Run-off Flooding. As events in November and December 2012 demonstrated, Starcross
is also vulnerable to flooding during periods of extended, heavy rainfall. The land slopes back
westwards from The Strand to form a natural shallow basin into which water running off the fields
behind will drain, and collect. Three lanes leading into the village from the West act as conduits for
run off from the fields; three water courses (Staplake Brook, and springs rising near Tiverlands Farm
and to the north west of Starcross) also make their way through the village; without active water
management this can result in floods in the lower land behind The Strand. On the night of 24th
November 2012 floods occurred at the bottom of Brickyard Lane, also the car park and the cul de sac
leading to New Road from Brickyard Lane, and New Road itself; also the bottom of Staplake Road
west of the junction with The Strand. The flooding affected properties in Parkers Road, Brickyard
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Lane, The Strand, and New Road near the Cockwood junction. Increasing frequency and severity of
extreme weather conditions increase the likelihood of such floods.
Why does Starcross need to be involved?
A considerable number of agencies are already involved in planning against the risk of flooding in our
area. The Environment Agency, alongside partners including the Exe Estuary Management
Partnership, Devon County Council, and Teignbridge District Council, are developing the Exe
Estuary Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. The strategy will identify areas that
are at increasing risk of flooding, and also options for the management of that risk. These include a
range of possibilities, from improved flood defences in some areas, to managed realignment in others,
and the maintenance of important natural habitats. Members of the Parish Council are already actively
involved in the Exe Estuary Management Partnership, which is contributing to the Risk Management
Strategy. This ensures that we are kept well informed, and that our views are heard and represented.
Given that a number of relatively large and powerful agencies are already involved in flood
prevention work in the Exe Estuary, the question could be asked as to why Starcross should need to
take an active interest in water management and flood prevention.
The answer to this question is that a local flood plan would have a different focus from that of the
Risk Management Strategy. The Risk Management Strategy focusses primarily on capital expenditure
projects which will be needed in coming years to protect our community from flooding due to rising
sea levels. The primary focus of the local involvement would be to ensure that the drainage and
protection systems we already have in place are working as well as possible, to minimise the risk of
avoidable floods.
The need for a local flood prevention plan to ensure that our drainage systems are well maintained and
working properly is heightened by the complex nature of responsibility and ownership of different
parts of the system. Over a short stretch of half a mile or so, a water course through the village may
fall within the remit of several different landowners, Devon County Council Highways, Teignbridge,
South West Water and Network Rail. With frequent reorganisations, transfers of responsibility
between agencies, and staff changes over the years it can be seen that records of responsibility, and
awareness of the need for regular maintenance could be lost, and there is evidence that this has
contributed to our experience of flooding.
It is also clear that by the time flood conditions prevail and the waters start to rise it is far too late to
start worrying about drains which are blocked, and systems which need maintenance. Our
experiences in November 2012 showed that by the time we needed to ask the emergency services for
help, much of the rest of the county was already in far deeper water, and the services were at full
stretch elsewhere, and unable to get to us very quickly. Also, it is easier and safer to undertake
necessary and routine maintenance work during daylight hours, in dry conditions and with the streams
at low level than it is to undertake clearing a blockage in an emergency, in the dark, in very slippery
conditions, and with half a field full of water waiting to rush through as soon as the blockage is
cleared.
The village of Starcross itself is best placed to have an overview of the situation. Maintaining up to
date records of who is responsible for each part of water management, and also a schedule of when
each regular maintenance task becomes due will help us to improve our flood resilience, and reduce
the risk of experiencing avoidable floods due to blocked drains and the failure of flood defences.
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This will help to protect us in the shorter term, while capital projects are is progress, and will then
work alongside the Risk Management Strategy to ensure that the systems continue to work well.
The Benefits of a Flood Resilience Plan
In summary then, the benefits of a local flood plan are as follows:
The first and most important benefit is preventing avoidable floods, and damage to property.
The second is that planned maintenance is safer and easier and more manageable for the responsible
agencies than emergency responses.
The third is that it will allow for better co-operation between agencies, and better co-ordination of
interdependent activities.
Ancillary benefits could include secure home insurance premiums, community involvement, and a
tidier village.
Who are the Stakeholders in the Starcross Flood Resilience Plan?
The Residents and Local Businesses of Starcross
Local Landowners and Land Holders
Starcross Parish Council
Teignbridge District Council
Devon County Council Highways
South West Water
Network Rail
Environment Agency
Teign Housing
Tasks
1.To develop and maintain as complete as possible an understanding of how the surface water
management systems in the village work, and where the risks are.
2. To get to know as far as possible all the points at which water passes underneath the railway line
into the Estuary, and where all the non-return valves are situated.
3. To identify all other points at which water can potentially flow into the village from the Estuary,
and cause flooding, such as the slipways.
4. To work with the partner agencies to develop a program of regular maintenance which is needed to
keep the systems working well.
5. To get all the relevant partner agencies to agree to the Flood Resilience Plan, and to sign up to their
responsibilities within it.
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What We Know Already About Water Management
The Railway Line
The railway embankment is Starcross’s main, and very effective, defence against flooding from the
estuary. Network Rail holds responsibility for ensuring that the sea wall and railway embankment are
in a good state of repair.
Slipways
Generals Lane Slipway is managed and
maintained by Teignbridge District Council.
There are flood gates in place, which are
managed by Teignbridge District Council. At
spring tides TDC arranges for the gates to be
closed.
Starcross Fishing and Cruising Club Slipway
is managed by the SFCC. The top of the slipway
is higher than either of the other slipways. There
are no flood gates in place at present. No flooding
to property has occurred at this location in recent
years, but the crown of the slipway was
overtopped by the tide on the night of February
4th 2014.
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Estuary Road Slipway
The slipway at the corner of the
A379 and Estuary Road is the
responsibility of Network Rail.
Flooding from the estuary has
occurred at this location, with water
flowing through the slipway
opening and across the road to pool
at the corner of the A379.
Water Courses
Staplake Brook runs down the valley to the south of the main village, next to the B3381, Mamhead
Road. It then passes through a culvert under New Road, before crossing Oak Meadow Golf Course
and flowing out into the estuary through a culvert leading under the A379 and the railway line. To the
west of Starcross, in the region of boreholes which supply water to the village, the watercourse is
maintained by South West Water. Further east along its course, responsibility is held by the
landowners. The landowner of the field next to New Road is aware of the need to maintain a clear
watercourse, and also to ensure that the entrance to the culvert is kept clear, to minimise the risk of
flooding in New Road. He is also willing in principle to sign up to the flood resilience plan.
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Responsibility for the watercourse through Oak Meadow Golf Course is held by the landholder, who
is also aware of the need to maintain a clear watercourse, and is willing in principle to sign up to the
flood resilience plan.
Water flow through the culvert leading under the road and railway line from the Golf Course to the
estuary is managed by holding ponds/ditches on the inland side, and tidal valves in the culvert. The
tidal valves close as the tide comes in, and the water pressure on the outside exceeds the water
pressure from the stream on the inside. This prevents water from the estuary entering through the
culvert and flooding the area of the golf course and road which is below high tide level. During the
tidal period when the valve is closed, water accumulates in the stream bed, in the deep ditches running
alongside the cycle path, and in overflow onto the golf course.
As the tide goes out, water pressure on the land side pushes the tidal flap open, and water drains out
into the estuary. This arrangement has proved adequate in protecting property in Generals Lane from
flooding from Staplake Brook so far. However, there is potential for increasing the capacity of
holding ponds on the golf course, if it were needed, subject to the agreement of landowners, and
planning consent.
Responsibility for maintaining the culvert is held by Network Rail and Devon County Council
Highways. Work has been carried out within the last five years to repair the culvert. The entrance to
the culvert is monitored by the landholder, who alerts Network Rail in the event of any problem.
Springs Rising to the West of Stile Farm, and the West of Staplake Mount flow into the field to
the south west of the junction of the A379 with Estuary Road at the northern end of the village. The
stream then flows through a culvert under the A379, The Strand car park and the railway line into the
estuary. Low lying parts of the field act as a holding pond at high tide when the non-return valve is
closed and water cannot drain away. Work has recently been carried out to clear the watercourse and
improve drainage. The landholder of the field holds responsibility for the watercourse through the
field up to the entrance to the culvert, and is aware of the need to maintain a clear watercourse.
Teignbridge District Council inspects the entrance to the culvert monthly and clears the grill as
needed.
Network Rail holds responsibility for the maintenance of the pipe under the railway. This was
surveyed in 2011 and found to be in good condition.
There are non-return valves under a manhole cover in the car park, and in a chamber on the foreshore
next to the railway wall. Teignbridge District Council acknowledges responsibility for the culvert
under the road, and for the non-return valves, and has recently (October 2013) undertaken work to
ensure that all is in good working order.
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The Spring Rising near Tiverlands Farm. This watercourse plays a very important role in draining
surface water from the village. It carries not only water from the spring, but also run off from the
fields above Parkers Road, water from the drainage ditch in Brickyard Lane, and surface water from
drains in Heywoods Drive, from the Longfields estate, the eastern part of Sercombes Gardens, and the
back of Warboro Terrace, also from Well Street, Bonhay Road, New Road and The Strand. It also
presents a risk of flooding, particularly to homes in Brickyard Lane, New Road, Well Street, Bonhay
Road and Sercombes Gardens at times of very heavy rainfall
After emerging near Tiverlands Farm, the stream flows through a ditch at the northern edge of the
field backing on to Parkers Road. At this point the ditch is the responsibility of the landowner through
whose land it flows. It is important that the ditch is well maintained, as if it becomes blocked, water
flows from it across the field and can threaten to cause flooding to property in Parkers Road. The
landowner is aware of the need to maintain a good watercourse, and has undertaken work in the last
year to ensure this and to improve drainage in the field. He is also willing in principle to sign up to the
flood resilience plan. Teignbridge District Council inspects the entrance to the culvert monthly and
clears the grill as needed.
At the north east corner of the field, the stream enters a culvert, and flows through a pipe under
Brickyard Lane.. The pipe under the road may be the responsibility of the riparian owner. It is
understood that this is DCC Highways.
Water flowing down the drainage ditch on the north eastern side of Brickyard Lane joins the stream in
the culvert. Devon County Council Highways has responsibility for keeping the drainage ditch clear.
The culvert emerges into an open ditch just south of Bakers Yard industrial estate. For the duration of
its passage between firstly the industrial estate and then the playing field on one side, and Sercombes
Gardens on the other, it is the responsibility of the landowner, in this case, Teign Housing. Teign
Housing have recently (December 2013) undertaken work to cut back vegetation along the whole
length of the ditch, and to clear the watercourse. They have undertaken to carry out this work on an
annual basis.
The playing field adjoining the ditch is a flood
plain. When very high rainfall coincides with
high tides it has acted as a holding tank and can
contain a huge volume of water pending the
outgoing tide allowing it to drain. The
reinstatement of the pumping station in Bonhay
Road will mean that the field should not now
flood at all, but it is important to remember its
role in preventing flooding to property in the
vicinity, and preserve its status as a flood plain in
case the pumps should ever fail.
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At the eastern end of the playing field, the stream goes underground again. A blockage at the entrance
to the culvert at times of heavy rain can lead to water backing up, completely flooding the playing
field, and, more worryingly, the lowest part of Brickyard Lane, just outside Bakers Yard. It was at this
point that there was significant flooding in late November 2012, with some incursion into, and
damage to property. Further flooding occurred at this point in December 2013, and concerns were
raised that debris had been allowed to collect against the grill, causing a blockage. Teign Housing
have now undertaken, without prejudice, to inspect the grill on a monthly basis and clear as necessary.
The culvert leads under Bonhay Road towards The Strand. Recent negotiations (December 2013)
have led to South West Water inspecting and undertaking repairs to the culvert. Devon County
Council Highways will be taking on responsibility for its maintenance in future. To date (November
2015) handover of that responsibility has not yet happened.
Flooding in Bonhay Road and New Road in
February 2014 caused by heavy rain coinciding
with a high spring tide and overwhelming the
surface water drainage system.
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At the eastern end of Bonhay Road the culvert drains into the pumping station. Within the pumping
station there is a holding tank similar to the one at the Generals Lane pumping station. When the tide
is high and water cannot drain through the pipe leading out into the Estuary under the railway station
platform, the holding tank starts to fill. Until recently, when the tank filled completely, the water level
rose in all the drains in the vicinity, backing up to cause floods in the playing field, also in the lower
parts of Brickyard Lane, New Road, and Bonhay Road. South West Water has recently (September
2015) re-commissioned the pumping station, installing two powerful new pumps, as well as taking
measures to further protect individual homes in the vicinity. When the water reaches a certain level in
the holding tank, the pumps are activated, and water is pumped out against the tide. The new pumps
should make flooding in all the previously affected areas a thing of the past.
From the pumping station, the water flows through a pipe under The Strand, under the old Post Office
car park, under the station platforms and railway line and out into the Estuary. South West Water has
inspected and repaired as necessary the pipes, valves and inspection covers between the pumping
station and the inner station wall, but do not admit ownership or responsibility for them in the long
term. Responsibility may rest with DCC Highways for the pipe where it passes underneath The
Strand, and with the owners of the car park where it passes under their land.
Ownership of the pipe and responsibility for its maintenance where it passes under the station
platforms and the railway line has yet to be confirmed. Network Rail routinely inspects the pipe to
ensure that its condition does not put the railway line at risk; it is known that this was done in early
2013 and the pipe was found to be in good condition.
There is an inspection hatch and non-return valve on the Estuary foreshore below the southbound
station platform. This non-return valve had been stuck open for several years, and at high spring tides,
when the weather and atmospheric conditions also coincided to raise the height of the tide even
further, water was forced back up the pipe to emerge through the drain in the car park at Courtney
Mews, and the inspection cover in the old Post Office car park. This has previously resulted in the
whole area of the Memorial Garden, the old Post Office car park, and much of the Courtney Mews car
park flooding to a depth of several inches, with water flowing onto the road by the station steps, and
pooling at a low point opposite the Atmospheric Railway Inn. When the water got deep enough, it
overtopped the crown of the road and flowed down the lane next to the Atmospheric Railway Inn.
South West Water repaired the valve in 2013 as a courtesy and without prejudice, but has not
accepted longer term responsibility. Their action in late 2013 undoubtedly prevented much more
serious flooding in Starcross in the storms of February 2014. Devon County Council has advised that
as owners of the foreshore, Powderham Estates may hold responsibility for maintaining the valve, but
to date the Estate has not acknowledged this.
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These pictures show flooding on The Strand in October 2012 caused by incursion of the high tide
through the then non-functioning non-return valve.
The Drainage System. Managing surface water drainage from the village is made complex by the
fact that the drainage system is below sea level at high tide. At low tide some surface water drains
away naturally into the estuary through drains which pass underneath the railway embankment at the
station (opposite Bonhay Road), at the Generals Lane slipway, opposite The Strand car park, and at
Staplake Brook. As the tide comes in, water pressure from the estuary side closes non-return valves to
prevent estuary water from flooding back into the village through the drainpipes. This also prevents
surface water from draining out of the village at high tide. Surface water draining from the village is
then stored in holding tanks under the pumping station next to the slipway in Generals Lane, and
under the pumping station in Bonhay Road. Under normal weather conditions, the holding tanks are
large enough to contain all the surface water draining into them until it is released by the outgoing tide
a few hours later. At times of very heavy rainfall, the tanks will fill. When the water in the tanks
reaches a certain level, the pumps are triggered automatically to push water out against the tide.
Some surface water drains in the village drain into the sewage system. The sewers lead to the terminal
situated in Generals Lane 100m west of the pumping station at the slipway. From there, sewage is
pumped to the treatment works at Powderham. The sewage system in Starcross is put under pressure
at times of severe rainfall because many of the road drains lead into the sewage drainage system rather
than the surface water drainage system described above. This can lead to the system becoming
overloaded, due to the volume of surface water, with a risk of backing up causing sewage to flood
roads in low lying parts of the village, as well as homes. In order to avoid this, when the system is
overloaded sewage is diverted into the surface water drainage system at the pumping station in
Generals Lane, and is pumped straight out into the estuary. At present this is a rare event, and
although the pumping of raw sewage into the estuary is never desirable, it is felt to be preferable to
the flooding of homes in the village.
Non-return (Tidal flap) Valves. In addition to the valves described already, there are road drains on
the A379 which flow into the estuary through pipes under the railway line and which are closed by
tidal flaps on the estuary side. These are understood to be the responsibility of Devon County Council
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Highways. Work was undertaken on the drain at Cockwood Corner recently to clear a collapse and
alleviate road flooding.
Another drain empties through a non-return valve situated under the slipway in General’s Lane. This
drain and valve is acknowledged to be the responsibility of Devon County Council Highways. DCC
recently (2015) repaired the valve, which was previously stuck open, allowing water to ingress
through the pipe and cause flooding on the A379 at the junction with Royal Way. (See below)
Road Drainage is the responsibility of Devon County Council Highways. Gulley sucking is
contracted through South West Highways, and undertaken once a year. Anecdotal evidence suggests
that this may not be frequent enough to prevent localised flooding, and there may be a case to be
made for additional service.
Recent Floods
Flooding on 24th November 2012: Causes. A number of factors may have contributed to the
flooding on 24th November. The system was overwhelmed by the volume of water flowing through it.
This was in part due to the exceptional rainfall. However, other factors contributed to the impact of
the rainfall on the village. There is evidence that the culvert leading under Bonhay Road from the
playing field to The Strand was blocked. This culvert plays a crucial role in the drainage system,
carrying most of the surface water drainage from the centre of the village, as well as run off from the
fields to the west of the village, and the spring rising near Tiverlands Farm. The stream leading into
the culvert overflowed, causing flooding at the lowest part of Brickyard Lane, in the cul-de-sac
leading to New Road, and in New Road, while the playing field next to the stream was flooded to a
depth of 35cms. At the same time, a look into the inspection chamber of the culvert in Bonhay Road
showed that very little water was flowing through the pipe. If the culvert had not been blocked at the
western end of Bonhay Road there would have been a very considerable flow through the pipe. As a
result of this, a huge volume of water diverted into the combined sewage and surface water drains in
the Parkers Road/Swan Road area, quickly overwhelming those drains and causing some flooding to
homes as well as roads. It is understood that work was carried out during the night to clear the
blockage; by the next morning the flood waters had completely drained away.
We were very lucky that night that the period of heaviest rainfall occurred during low tide, and
during a period of neap, rather than high spring, tides. What was demonstrated very clearly is that
Starcross is dependent upon an efficient drainage and pumping system to protect against surface water
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and sewage flooding. Increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events including very
heavy and prolonged rainfall caused by rising sea temperatures will test the adequacy of our current
drainage system. The new pumps installed by South West Water should prevent this type of flooding
happening for the foreseeable future.
Flooding February 2014
The first fortnight of February 2014 brought severe storms which coincided with high spring tides.
Severe rainfall coinciding with the high tides caused the whole of the surface water drainage system
to be overwhelmed, resulting in surface water flooding in New Road, the lowest part of Brickyard
Lane, Bonhay Road, and the lower end of Staplake Road.
Bonhay Road
Brickyard Lane
New Road
Staplake Road
Storm force southerly winds coinciding with high spring tides created a tidal surge which overtopped
slipways in Cockwood, at Estuary Road, and at the Starcross Fishing and Cruising Club. Significant
road flooding occurred at the junction of the A379 with Estuary Road, and at Cockwood, with some
damage to property at Cockwood. The tidal surge also overtopped the railway line just north of the
end of the platform, resulting in flooding on the roadway on The Strand, and some damage to
property. There is a section of the wall approximately 100 metres long on the outer side of the railway
embankment, between the north end of the station platform and the pedestrian railway crossing
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leading to the stone pier, which is approximately 55 cms lower than the rest of the wall going
northwards. It was along this stretch that the tide overtopped the railway embankment.
This picture shows the difference in height of the The wall being battered by the storms
wall on each side of the pedestrian railway
crossing.
Debris washed onto the line by the tide
A hole left where ballast was washed away by
the tide
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The pictures below were taken at night in appalling conditions, but it can just be made out that:
Water is flowing across the cycle path from the Flooding on The Strand is overtopping the
railway embankment
pavement and flowing into front gardens
The A379 is completely flooded opposite The Sandbags were deployed along The Strand as the
Strand car park.
flood water was lapping at the front door steps of
several houses.
Flood Prevention Work Achieved – Summary
Work by South West Water has included:
Recommissioning the pumping station at the end of Bonhay Road, installing two powerful new pumps
to protect against surface water flooding at times when heavy rainfall coincides with high tides.
Undertaking work installing valves and pumps at individual properties on The Strand which were at
particular risk of surface water flooding and the overwhelming of sewers.
Repairing the non-return valve on the outflow pipe outside the station wall.
Undertaking repair work to the culvert under Bonhay Road.
Work by Teign Housing has included:
Clearing the ditch leading from Brickyard Lane to the culvert at the western end of Bonhay Road
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Undertaking to inspect regularly and clear as necessary the grill covering the entrance to the culvert.
Work by Devon County Council Highways has included:
Undertaking repair work to the surface water drain, pipework, chambers and non-return valves at
Cockwood Corner.
Replacing the non-return valve under the road bridge at the slipway in General’s Lane.
Undertaking repair work to the surface water drains at the corner of the A379 at the junction with
Estuary Road.
Clearing the ditch running down the east side of Brickyard Lane on an annual basis, and continuing to
gully suck the surface water drains on a regular basis.
Work byTeignbridge District Council has included:
Checking, maintaining and repairing as necessary the culvert grill, non-return valves at the car park on
The Strand, and the non-return valve outside the railway embankment at the north end of the village.
Checking and maintaining the grill at the entrance to the culvert on the western side of Brickyard
Lane.
Restocking the sandbag store as needed.
Flood Prevention Work Planned.
Network Rail
Following the severe damage sustained by the rail line in February 2015, and in the light of predicted
sea level rises and increasing incidence of severe weather events, Network Rail is currently
undertaking a major exercise to explore and assess options to reinforce and protect the rail line along
the coastal stretch. Public consultation is part of this process, and Starcross Parish Council has
informed the consultants that the lower section of the wall to the north of the station has been
overtopped resulting in flooding on The Strand, and has asked that raising this section of the wall to
the height of the rest of the wall should be considered.
The Environment Agency
Prior to the floods of 2012, 2013 and 2014, the Environment Agency was already taking the lead on
developing the Exe Estuary Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy. Following the
recent floods, the Environment Agency is now looking to bring forward work better to protect
Starcross from tidal flooding. A range of options is being explored in Starcross and Cockwood, and a
public consultation process is currently under way. More information about this can be found on the
Environment Agency website under the Starcross and Cockwood Tidal Defence Scheme. Detailed
proposals are expected to be ready by the end of 2016, with construction work to start in 2017/2018.
In Starcross, it is most likely that the plan will include raising the walls around the three slipways
(Generals Lane, Starcross Fishing and Cruising Club, and Estuary Road), and installing new flood
gates.
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What else can we do as a community?
Developing a Dutch Mentality: We need to try to ensure that every resident in Starcross is aware of
the risks of flooding, both from the high tide, and from surface water during exceptionally heavy
rainfall, and the importance of our flood defences and water management systems in keeping us dry
and safe. The agencies cannot inspect every ditch and drain frequently, and every Starcross resident
has an important role to play in reporting blocked drains and silted up or overgrown ditches, or
breaches in the sea defences, to the relevant agency.
The reporting of incidents is also very important in raising the awareness of agencies to potential
problems. For example, the Parish Council has heard anecdotally of instances of domestic toilets
backing up. This could be caused by a blockage in the sewers, or it could result from the system
lacking the capacity to manage the volume of water draining into the system at times of very heavy
rainfall. In either case, it is very important that South West Water is informed of the problem
immediately, even if no damage to property occurs. If the problem is caused by a blockage in the
sewer, notification allows South West Water to locate and sort the problem before it becomes worse.
If lack of capacity is causing the problem, notification every time the problem occurs helps South
West Water to build up a body of evidence which will assist in finding the best long term solution to
the problem. If no-one ever tells South West Water that the toilets are backing up they have no way of
knowing that a problem may be developing.
Good village keeping is also important; everyone needs to be aware that litter dropped anywhere can
be washed into, and block, the culverts. If anyone drops litter or fly tips then they could be
contributing to a dozen of their neighbours’ homes flooding next time it rains heavily. An awareness
of the importance of this may empower residents to challenge or report offenders.
Protecting Our Own Homes and Property. The Environment Agency is the lead agency for
managing information about flooding. The website provides information about the risk of flooding in
any particular area, ie whether or not a house is situated on a flood plain. The Environment Agency
runs the Floodline, which sends out warnings by telephone, text and email to individuals who sign up
to the scheme to inform about possible flooding, and the level of risk. Information is also available
from the website and in pamphlet form on how to prepare for an emergency, measures which can be
taken to protect homes and minimise damage, and advice on what to do if your home is flooded. It is
highly recommended that all members of the community whose homes are at risk should register for
flood warnings, and avail themselves of the information on protecting themselves and their property.
Emergency Measures: Sandbag Store. Starcross has a sandbag store, replenished and managed by
Teignbridge District Council. Starcross Parish Council has a role in ensuring that residents are aware
of its existence, and that it is accessible when needed. The way in which this is managed should be
reviewed regularly as part of the flood prevention plan.
Emergency Volunteer Force: The Parish Council is already involved in setting up a volunteer task
force the main purpose of which will be to help residents whose homes are threatened with flooding to
deploy sandbags. As well as a “Wellies and Waterproofs Brigade” volunteers are needed for the
“warm and dry” tasks of maintaining the list of volunteers, staffing telephone lines, organising rotas
and co-ordinating activities. The primary tasks of the Emergency Group are:
1. To be aware of tide tables and weather forecasts and alert to days when high spring tide
coincide with expected southerly storms and very high rainfall.
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2. To check a few days before such conditions are expected that the grills at the entrances to the
Brickyard Lane and Playing Feld culverts are clear of debris.
3. To check that the sandbag store is well replenished.
4. To alert group members to the possibility of floods and find out who is going to be available
at the relevant times.
5. If a flood warning is received from the Environment Agency, unlock the sandbag store.
6. Arrange a rota of people to monitor water levels at the most vulnerable spots in the village –
this is usually only recommended for an hour either side of high tide at most.
7. Start knocking on doors to alert residents if water levels are threatening property.
8. Offer help to transport and deploy sandbags if people are unable to do this for themselves.
9. Help to set up a rest centre if people need to leave their own homes.
10. Review and revise the Emergency Response plan as needed.
It can be seen that while some people may be needed to help to move sandbags, there is plenty to do
in helping to monitor water levels and co-ordinate activities, so a lack of physical strength need not be
a barrier to useful volunteering.
While the most likely emergency in Starcross remains flooding, the Emergency Volunteer Group is
available to respond to any other emergency affecting the village which needs coordinated community
action.
In the future, the volunteer force could also have a role in ensuring that new flood gates are shut when
needed. A number of people have already put their names forward for this, more would be very
welcome.
The picture shows members of the Starcross Emergency
Volunteer Group demonstrating personal safety equipment
provided through the Living with a Changing Coast
project.
Local Knowledge and Ideas.
Local knowledge and ideas are very important in making the best use of the resources we have. One
of the ideas which has come up is the use of holding ponds at times of very heavy rain.
One example of this is the horse field in Brickyard Lane which acts as a holding pond for run off from
the fields above. This is not as efficient as it could be, as during a wet season it remains permanently
half full and quickly reaches full capacity during very heavy rain, at which point it overspills back
through the hedge into Brickyard Lane. There is potential for improving the capacity of the holding
pond. If a sluiced channel were installed draining down to the culvert at Brickyard Lane, the holding
pond would be dry most of the time, and capacity improved on those occasions when it were needed,
and the sluice closed. This could only happen if a clear need was established for increased capacity,
with the agreement of landowners, planning consent, and funding, as well as a system for opening and
closing the sluice as required.
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The Parish Council is always pleased to hear ideas to improve the protection of the village against
flooding, While the Parish Council has very little power to carry out such improvements, it can carry
forward ideas to the landholders or agencies who may hold power and responsibility in these
situations.
Conclusion
To summarise briefly:
It is recognised that Starcross lies on a flood plain , that much of the village lies below the high water
mark at high spring tides, and would regularly flood without the protective measures and drainage
systems which are already in place.
Sea levels are rising, and extreme weather events becoming more frequent, putting pressure on both
drainage and flood protection systems.
Improvement measures have been put in place, or are planned within the next few years which will
significantly improve the flood defences of the village.
The Parish Council has an important role to play in maintaining accurate and up to date records of
which agency or landholder is responsible for the maintenance of each part of the drainage system, so
that we know who to contact in the event of a blockage or other failure in the system.
Every member of the community has an important role to play in increasing awareness of the risk of
flooding, also in keeping a look out for drains which are not working properly, and reporting them to
the relevant agency.
The Parish Council will continue to run an Emergency Response Team to try to mitigate the impact of
flooding, and of other emergencies.
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