AN INNOVATIVE scheme to reduce sewer flooding in Aveton Gifford has begun this week.

South West Water has been working with the parish council, the school and local residents to reduce the amount of surface water entering the sewer system.

Water flowing off roofs, hard surfaces and other impermeable areas has sometimes overloaded the sewerage network and caused it to overflow.

The scheme will provide a new surface water pipe to take rain water from the school, the car park and the Memorial Hall and direct it into the stream.

This will remove around 25 per cent of the surface water and return capacity to the sewerage network, reducing the risk of sewer flooding.

Under the scheme, a 14 metre long swale - a planted ditch - will convey water across the grassy area behind the Memorial Hall. This will filter and slow the rain water before it flows into the stream, as well as providing a wildlife habitat and additional drainage for that area.

Around 40 households will be offered a free downpipe disconnection using sustainable drainage methods to reuse or store water in their garden.

The project is also working with the school to build landscaping features like planters which store water on site. These works are likely to be completed during the summer holidays.

South West Water flood risk manager, Richard Behan said: ‘There are many innovative ways of working with communities to reduce flooding and pollution, and this project in Aveton Gifford is a good example of what can be done.

‘Often what is needed is to reduce the volume of water going into the combined sewer for a short period when rainfall is at its most intense. This scheme will enable the sewerage network in the village to operate as it should without overflowing, and we hope this will remove the incidence of sewer flooding in the village.’

Work on building the surface water pipe and swale began behind the village hall on Monday, February 8.

Work in the road will be completed during half term week, between February 15-19. There will be two-way traffic lights in place during that week and the aim is to remove these before term re-starts.

All works are scheduled to be completed by Friday, February 26.