The move follows unexpected flooding the night of October 18 when 15 town centre businesses were flooded following heavy rain. Water from the Furzebrook overflowed down Brook Street after a screen at the entrance to a culvert became blocked with debris washed down during the storm.

Following a public meeting, held within hours of the flooding, with those affected and the town, district and county councils, the Environment Agency has introduced a series of new measures.

These measures include the installation of a remote sensing device on the screen at the Chapel Lane culvert to monitor water levels and automatically alert the Environment Agency’s 24 hour control room when the water reaches a height likely to cause flooding.

The Chapel Lane screen will be reassessed to see if it can be altered in any way to prevent it blocking so easily.

Inspections have been increased from weekly to daily of flood defence screens in the town to ensure they are not blocked and steps taken to reduce the amount of debris in the channel. Landowners will be reminded of their responsibility to keep the channel clear and not to dispose of garden or other waste in the watercourse.

A study will be carried out to see if changes in land use upstream of Ottery can be made to reduce the amount of water entering the Furzebrook.

‘We have taken immediate action to address the latest problems. We are very sorry about the flooding but have pledged to work with the local community to make improvement,’ said Adrian Rushworth for the Environment Agency.

Last night up to 45 millimetres of rain fell. Further heavy rain is forecast and the Environment Agency will continue its 24 hour monitoring issuing flood warnings as needed. Further information on flooding and flood warnings is available from Floodline on 0845 988 1188.