RESIDENTS of a Cornish coastal village say a £14m flood protection scheme – which was recently awarded £3.57m in additional Government funding – is “grossly inadequate”.

The Environment Agency (EA) says the Portreath Flood Resilience Project addresses the risk of flooding caused by rivers and streams, including surface water, which “remains a significant threat to the village”.

But a growing number of Portreath residents say the scheme will decimate a “beautiful wildlife corridor” and stream that has run through the centre of the village for generations. One man says he is even prepared to chain himself to a bridge to stop the work happening.

The EA says the scheme is focused on retaining the natural embankment and vegetation where possible. Where this is not possible, native species will be replanted and solutions used that allow for habitat creation.

Residents also claim the scheme does not address flooding from the sea, only partly addresses river flooding, and could lead to sewage flowing on to the beach from the stream.

“We believe more houses will be at risk of flooding after the scheme, the village will be devastated by the large concrete channel and the beach will be a public health risk,” stated members of Portreath Flood Resilience Action Group (PFRAG), which was formed by concerned residents.

They have set up a petition – currently signed by 570 people – urging the EA to improve the scheme.

An initial scheme, mooted several years ago, included attenuation facilities upstream, which residents believe would not have had the physical impact on Portreath they believe the new scheme will cause. The campaign group says the original scheme would protect Portreath and Bridge village and enhance nature.

A PFRAG spokesperson said: “This group is not about stopping the scheme. This group is about trying to get the right solution for Portreath. Attenuation would be the right scheme.”

Portreath’s last flood in 2016 was caused by a blockage on the trash screen (protective barrier) in the river, something PFRAG members say was preventable according to the EA’s own report. They believe the same blockage and flooding could still happen after the proposed scheme is completed.

Civil engineer and local resident Ramsey Neseyif said: “A lot of water flows down the valley to Portreath village, and this is increasing with climate change and more run-off due to concreting over greenery and more house building.

“The scheme originally included attenuation facilities to control the flow of water before the village. This would have reduced the risk of the village flooding – this part has been cut.

“What is proposed is only addressing a one in 20 storm and will mean the 10 houses it is designed to protect will still be at high risk of flooding after the scheme is completed. We need flood protection; this scheme doesn’t provide it.”

Another resident, Ellie Oakley, said: “The proposed scheme will decimate the beautiful wildlife corridor that comes through the centre of Portreath. It will also reconnect the main river that brings water from Redruth and Carn Brea and sewage discharge from South West Water directly on to the beach.

“Children play in the stream, dogs drink from it - this will be a public health risk and we can’t believe it is going to happen.”

The PFRAG spokesperson added: “We cannot stand by while our environment, community and economy risk degradation from subpar planning.

“We plead with the Environment Agency to reconsider their strategy and provide Portreath with a comprehensive, effective flood alleviation scheme.”

Tim Holman lives on Tregea Terrace, alongside the stream and green corridor which will be altered by the new scheme. He says he is prepared to chain himself to a bridge over the stream to stop any works.

“I’d do it because it’s beautiful. It’s as simple as that. I’ve lived here for 35 years now and I’ve watched a lot of it grow,” said Tim, who used to play Poohsticks in the stream with his kids. “They want to turn it into a ditch.”

Like others, he’s worried that it could be used an outfall and “to be blunt about it, they could be putting s*** on the beach”.

Cllr Cliff Crawford, the Reform UK councillor for the area, said: “It’s a difficult one – something needs to be done. I’ve met the campaign group and put their concerns to the Environment Agency.”

Perran Moon, Labour MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, welcomed the £3.57m Government funding for the Portreath scheme earlier this year. He said at the time: “This additional funding will protect lives and livelihoods in Portreath, as well as boost our economy across the Camborne, Redruth and Hayle constituency.”

Asked to comment on residents’ concerns, he said: “There is understandable concern within some of the Portreath community, but much misunderstanding.

“Firstly, the scheme will not affect water quality on Portreath beach. It is focussed on reducing flood risk for more than 100 existing homes – it is not linked to plans for new housing development.

“Secondly, it is a project to help make the community more resilient to future flooding. To do so, some existing silt banks within the stream, from which trees – mainly non-native – and vegetation have grown, will be cleared.

“This is important work to ensure the stream functions efficiently. I will work with the Environment Agency to ensure Cornish species are planted to replace some of the lost vegetation, where appropriate to do so.”

We also approached the Environment Agency with the residents’ fears. A spokesperson said: “More than 100 homes and businesses in Portreath are at risk of flooding from the Portreath stream.

“The Portreath Flood Resilience Project will undertake works to ensure that any water that cannot be managed by the Portreath tunnel will be contained within the channel rather than running into homes and down roads, making the community more resilient to flooding.

“We are committed to developing a flood resilience scheme that provides resilience to the community whilst supporting local biodiversity and respects the natural and historic character of Portreath.”