Residents rally against planned flood defences

Residents in a Cornwall village are fighting a new flood defence scheme which they said would put their beach at risk of new sewage spills.

The scheme, which is set to cost millions of pounds, involves widening the stream through Portreath.

It has the support of the local MP, but many people who live nearby are concerned. Critics said it would affect wildife, te anvironment and potentially people's health.

The Environment Agency said the scheme would not change how frequently storm overflows operated or high flows occurred.

Local resident Ellie Oxley said: "The scheme allows for decimation for a wildlife corridor, which is beautiful.

"It could allow for water companies to send sewage straight down on to the middle of the beach, which could put the communities and the environment at risk."

Retired civil engineer Ramsey Neseyif said: "It does seem to be that one of the drivers is the amount of development that is required and the targets they have to meet.

"The UK is one of the leading countries in technology, public health and so on. These sort of things seem to be taking us backwards."

Camborne and Redruth Labour MP Perran Moon said: "We are seeing more and more flood water, flood run-off, increasing flood events.

"We cannot get into a situation that we have seen in Cornwall in the recent past where village communities are flooded.

"This action is, unfortunately, necessary because of the effects of climate change change.

"It's not only a case of increased house build, it's the volume of water we are getting.

"It's too simplistic to say that it is about house-building further up the valley."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Over 100 households and the primary school in Portreath are at risk of flooding from a combination of sources, causing long-standing concerns amongst the community.

"Our proposal would reinstate a historic channel to allow excess floodwater to bypass the village during extreme weather, reducing the risk of flooding.

"Whilst we understand some residents are worried about the impact this may have on water quality at the beach, it will not change how frequently storm overflows operate or high flows occur."

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