The gravel bund by Exford bridge has not been touched in twelve years, and in that time it has grown so badly that vegetation is now rooting in the middle of the riverbed. The village sits directly in the flood path, and anyone who knows Exmoor knows that when it rains water rises quickly.
The Environment Agency will not do the work itself, and it will only allow local people to tackle the river with hand tools, which means no digger reaching in from the bank. It is asking a community to shift tonnes of gravel by hand.
Will you join our call to save Exford from future flooding?
To: The Environment Agency
We, the undersigned residents, businesses, landowners and supporters of Exford, call upon the Environment Agency to take urgent action regarding the substantial build-up of gravel in the River Exe at Exford Bridge.
The gravel has progressively accumulated over recent years and is now causing serious concern among local residents about its effect on the flow of the River Exe and the potential risk of flooding within Exford.
This is not simply an environmental or aesthetic issue. The accumulation of gravel has the potential to restrict the river channel and impede the natural flow of water, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and high river levels.
The community is particularly concerned because Exford has experienced flooding in the past, and residents understand the potential consequences of any restriction to the river’s capacity to carry floodwater.
We acknowledge the importance of protecting the natural environment and the ecology of the River Exe. However, we believe that responsible river management and environmental protection must go hand in hand with protecting residents, homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure from avoidable flood risk.
The gravel at this location was cleared approximately 12 years ago, but has subsequently rebuilt and become significantly more substantial. Local concern has therefore increased about the potential impact of the present gravel build-up on the river and the village.
Kind regards
Paul Osman
