The Chief Executive of the Environment Agency (EA), Sir James Bevan, visited East Devon on Friday 14 October after local MP Sir Hugo Swire invited him to the constituency.
The MP took Sir James to Sidmouth, Exmouth and Tipton St John to discuss and see some of the ongoing projects which the Environment Agency have been actively involved in.
In a statement released after the visit, Sir Hugo said:
‘The Environment Agency are heavily involved with some very important projects in my constituency which is why I wanted to invite Sir James down. Sir James met some of the key local people working on the Sidmouth Beach Management Plan, the redevelopment of Exmouth Seafront and the proposed relocation of Tipton St John Primary School, which is regularly beset by flooding.
‘The support of the EA will be essential as EDDC proceed with the vitally important Beach Management Plan for Sidmouth. It was useful to discuss some of the funding challenges surrounding this project with Sir James, Cllr Stuart Hughes and officers from EDDC.
‘Getting the redevelopment of Exmouth Seafront right is so important for the town. The EA continues to play a role in the project, ensuring that any damage to the natural environment is mitigated. I hope that meeting and briefing the Chief Executive will help the local team to develop an even better relationship with the EA.
‘I know that Sir James was also very much impressed by Exmouth’s flood defences on the seafront.
‘I am determined to do all that I can to secure the necessary funding to enable Tipton St John Primary School to move to a new, safer site. I took representatives from the school, Devon County Council and the Diocese of Exeter to discuss this matter with the Secretary of State for Education only last week but I also wanted to show Sir James the problems that the school is facing. I am pleased that Sir James is very supportive of the school and will help us to make the case to the Government’.