Millions pledged for Exeter climate defences

Exeter is set to benefit from more than £2.26 million in government funding to deliver three vital flood defence projects, providing long-term protection for local homes, businesses and infrastructure.

As part of the Labour Government’s Plan for Change, the Environment Agency has confirmed investment in 29 flood defence schemes across the country. Exeter’s allocation includes £1.89m to repair Trews Weir, £224,000 for the Exeter Flood Defence Scheme, and £150,000 towards Devon County Council’s Property Level Resilience Scheme.

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:

“I know from firsthand experience the devastating impacts that flooding can cause.

“The role of Government is to protect its citizens. However, we inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record following 14 years of Conservative neglect.

“Through our Plan for Change, we are supporting three schemes in Exeter, ensuring residents have the long-term protection they need, while boosting local growth and creating new jobs.”

The Plan for Change pledges a record £2.65 billion over two years to improve and maintain flood defences nationwide, aiming to protect more than 27,000 homes and businesses over the next 12 months.

It also promises to stimulate local economic growth, support infrastructure jobs, and deliver greater resilience against the increasingly intense weather brought by climate change.

Exeter MP Steve Race welcomed the news, highlighting the impact it will have on the local community.

“I’ve heard from local residents that they were worried about the amount of debris that gets swept along the River Exe and hits our iconic Trews Weir, after our increasingly intense winter storms,” he said.

“I took this issue up with the Environment Agency, and with ministers, and I’m delighted that they’ve listened. In total over the coming two years, we have been awarded £1.9m in new funding to repair the Trews Weir so that it can continue to be a resilient part of our city’s infrastructure for years to come.

“I’m also pleased that we have been awarded £224k for Exeter’s Flood Defence Scheme this year, and £150k for property-level flood resilience.

“As climate change means our weather will be increasingly extreme, it’s important that we invest in our flood defences to protect our city. This is economic investment, environmental investment, and it will also provide security for our city.”

The Environment Agency’s national list of flood defence schemes for 2025 includes several shovel-ready projects prioritised to begin construction this year, with Trews Weir among them.