WORK to help relieve repeated flooding misery suffered by Tavistock residents is due to start this summer.

West Devon Borough Council environment committee recommended unanimously this week that remedial work on the Boughthayes culvert under Callington Road and Fore Street should be carried out — although the council will not accept full responsibility for the culvert.

Paul Seager, principal building engineer, said a CCTV survey revealed that, considering its age, the culvert was not in bad condition but there was silting up caused by a blockage.

'The recommendation of the engineer was that as this culvert was a major surface water system in Tavistock, the repair should undertaken during the summer period to avoid a repetition of the disastrous flooding problems of last Christmas,' said Mr Seager.

The estimated cost of the five metres deep excavation of the highway and construction of a new section of culvert would be high, but would be reduced if undertaken in the summer, he added.

Nick Payne, head of environmental services, said the consultant was reasonably confident the repair work would stop the problems and should give the culvert a reasonable life span with maintenance.

He said the sewer was on a definitive map designating South West Water's responsibilities, but SWW insisted it was there by mistake.

Mr Payne said Devon County Council and Tavistock Town Council also denied responsibility and there was a 'complete stand-off situation'.

'SWW refused to attend the initial site meeting, and that has been their consistent approach. People are suffering the severest consequences,' he said, adding the ultimate decision over responsibility would probably be made in court.

'In the absence of any response, we have to do the work,' Mr Payne said.

Cllr Caroline Keane, committee vice-chairman, said residents had been 'very passionate' at a meeting in early May and it was important to act as soon as possible.

She said they felt house building behind Boughthayes had exaggerated flooding incidents over successive Christmas periods.

' It is a shame the survey didn't go beyond looking at the culvert. Where is the water coming from and why — and is the culvert capable of dealing with the water?

'There is a feeling that the laying of tarmac and roof tiles have made the water flow faster than before,' she said.

Stephen Swain, spokesman for SWW, told The Times the company did not believe the culvert was part of the public sewerage system.

'The first Christmas there was flooding we went in and arranged for work to be done to help residents, regardless of the question of responsibility.

'When flooding re-occurred last Christmas West Devon did the necessary work,' Mr Swain said.

The committee agreed the council should seek to recover costs of remedial work from other parties — subject to counsel's opinion.

It was also agreed to arrange another meeting with residents, to which SWW would be invited.

Mike Hall of Boughthayes Tenants and Residents Association, which has campaigned for action for the past 18 months, said: 'I am cautiously pleased to hear that progress appears to be being made. I hope that West Devon Borough Council will learn something from this 18 month period.'