Residents asked to engage with Paignton flood defence plans
The council are calling for people's opinions for a second time
Residents and businesses in Paignton are being urged to share their opinions on the flood defence plans for the town.
Torbay Council is encouraging people and businesses in the area to get involved so the money can be spent in the right way.
The council's proposal:
"As our climate is changing, sea levels are rising and more storms are hitting Torbay, we have been taking a look at our sea defences, particularly those in Paignton and Preston.
Along with the Environment Agency we commissioned an assessment of our current coastal defences. This has shown that the sea defences we currently have on both seafronts at Paignton and Preston will only provide protection from flooding from storms for up to another 10 years.
It has been predicted that due to the climate change we will see the sea level rise in Torbay by over one metre. In the next 100 years the frequency and impact of water coming over the top of the sea walls will increase, resulting in more infrastructure and properties being affected by flooding. On top of that, more intense rainfall will increase the risk of localised flooding and erosion.
At the moment, whenever we experience storms like Storm Emma in 2018, up to 90 residential properties and just over 120 commercial properties are at risk of flooding. The Torbay Coastal Defences report estimates that, with another 50 years of climate change, the total number of properties at risk of flooding would be 352.
By acting now we can rapidly reduce this risk to properties."
There are different ways in which flood defences could be used - you can see them on the council's website here.
They want your opinions on the options they have put forward.
Councillor Andrew Barrand says they might lose the money if they don't use it soon:
"The funding has been given and it's time sensitive.
"The government has provided ÂŁ3 million from the Environment Agency.
"If we delay, delay and delay I'm sure there are lots of other projects across the country crying out for this money and could use it.
"It's use it or lose it I think."
He added it's incredibly important people engage with the plans - which you can do so by emailing engagement@torbay.gov.uk**.**
"Having had the opportunity once which didn't get the result or opinions that we needed.
"We're really asking people to engage this time so we can get the opinions of those who are on the front line of this.
"The businesses on Paignton pier and residents in the area are the ones who are going to have to live with the final result."