WORK on a new, larger, culvert in Kenton which, once completed, will help reduce the risk of flooding in the area has begun today.

The work will last for approximately five weeks, and during this time the road will be closed with signed diversions in place .

The existing stone culvert has reached the end of its life and it’s starting to collapse; its deterioration accelerated following last September’s heavy rain and flooding.

This new culvert is larger, and the frontage will be made from stone recycled from the old culvert, reinforced with steel.

This will ensure that the appearance of the new culvert will be in keeping with the current structure.

The existing stone arch culvert will be removed, and it will be rebuilt with a wider and higher slab design which will significantly increase its capacity.

The work will be carried out by Marine and Civil Solutions.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s cabinet member for Highway Management said: ‘Given local concerns about the extent of the flooding last autumn we wanted to reduce the risk of a repeat in the future.

‘This work effectively future-proofs the culvert; it will be significantly larger in size and will allow more water to flow through.’

Councillor Alan Connett, the local member for Exminster & Haldon, said: ‘We have secured the services of an extremely competent contractor who has the availability to deliver this work at short notice for us.

‘I am personally extremely happy that everything seems to be coming together on this project, and that we are not only able to undertake the repairs swiftly, but also remove ongoing concerns around this structure contributing to flooding.’