SERIOUS flooding in North Tawton in the last few years can be resolved — but costs could be as high as £750,000, say consultants in a new report to West Devon Borough Council.

A £20,000 study, commissioned by the council last year after homes were flooded out several times during heavy rain, comes up with 14 different options to resolve the problem.

But at a public meeting in North Tawton on Thursday, chaired by West Devon Aand Torridge MP John Burnett, flood victims were told the solution could cost as much as £750,000.

The study reveals that the town's problems are unique and not solely related to flooding of the River Taw and the town's stream. North Tawton also has a problem with surface water run-off and an old sewerage system which surcharges during heavy rain.

Favoured options are to build a flood wall and flood banks for the River Taw and clear silt from the river around the bridge which would cost almost £275,000. A further £476,000 would need to be spent on making improvements to the stream and building a flood storage reservoir.

The report has provided the council with much of the information that will be required to make a formal grant application to MAFF and an action plan is being drawn up by the authority.

Cllr Peter Hill, chairman of the borough council's policy and resources committee, said following the public meeting that the council would continue to work with other agencies to find funding for the project.

'This council is determined to do all it can to overcome flooding in North Tawton,' he said. 'Those of us who have never been flooded have no idea of the impact such a problem can have on families.

'We shall urgently seek funding wherever we can and our officers have already made a preliminary application to the Government following its announcement of extra funds for flood alleviation just before Christmas.'

Head of building services Roger Collins said while the council had no statutory duty for flood protection schemes, it had stepped in to help residents in the town and work with other authorities and agencies to try and come up with a solution.

'To do nothing is unthinkable because without the council's help flooding will continue in North Tawton and the damage over the coming years has been estimated at £1.6-million,' he said.

Part-funding for the project could come from MAFF, but Mr Collins warned there would always be a very large shortfall of around £400,000 for the council to find from its stretched capital programme.

The borough remains hopeful that other statutory agencies will assist with these costs, either directly or by providing assistance in kind.

John Burnett said it was important to keep the impetus on this matter and there would be a further meeting in two months' time for members of the town council and interested parties to keep them informed of what was going on.

'I believe we are 99.9 per cent there now — once the options have been decided on and the action plan is in place I will be taking a party up to Westminster to make a request for funding,' he said.

'I am delighted with the borough council for their marvellous work. It is a fantastic example of the whole council working together and drawing in the other agencies.'

Mill Lane resident Margaret Pridham, who has been flooded several times in the past 12 months, said she and her neighbours were concerned about the money coming forward.

'Everything depends on when and if the money is available,' she said. 'The residents want the work done now. If it all happens it will be wonderful.'

Mrs Pridham said she had been given assurance by the council's environmental services department that trees in the river causing a dam would be removed imminently and that some silt clearing work was due to start under the bridge.