WIREDGOV

 A damaged flood gate at the entrance to Polperro Harbour has been secured by the Environment Agency and Polperro Harbour Trust to maintain flood protection to 70 local properties. 

The Environment Agency successfully stabilised the gate ahead of two days of high tides after its owners, Polperro Harbour Trust spotted a problem following several days of storms.

Engineers surveyed the damage and began to finalise a plan to start repairing the gate as early as next week.

The gate will remain in a closed position until fixed. Although this will temporarily prevent boats entering or leaving the harbour, the Environment Agency is working to support the Harbour Trust to get these repairs completed as soon as practical to restore access for local fishermen and pleasure boats.

Steve Douglas, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency said:

The emergency works have prevented the Polperro tide gate from being more seriously damaged and minimised flood risk to local people and property. We will continue to work closely with the Harbour Trust, Cornwall Council and our partners at the local resilience forum to ensure that contingency plans are in place in the event of the gate suffering further damage. I’m hopeful that repairs can be completed within the next month.

During this time if anyone considers that they have suffered loss or damage as a result of the works at Polperro they should contact the Environment Agency’s Estates Department, who will be able to discuss this further with them. They can do this by emailing southwestenquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or calling our Customer Contact Centre on 03708 506 506