As flood defences throughout Wales and the West Country were put to the test this week; three Devon areas are set to receive special notices on how to deal with expected problems if severe conditions prevail.

Around 500 Totnes residents will be receiving a special information leaflet explaining the town’s flood plan, Similarly 1,300 Newton Abbot and Kingsteignton residents will be receiving special information leaflets as will some 1,400 Barnstaple residents.

In all cases the towns are at risk from flooding rivers even though flood defences are already in place. Totnes is built on the banks of the Dart Estuary and is at risk of flooding from the tide or a combination of tidal flooding and high river flows in the River Dart. Newton Abbot is at risk of flooding from the River Lemon and Kinsgteignton is at risk of flooding from the river Teign and from the tide in the Teign estuary. Barnstaple is at risk of flooding from the Rivers Taw and Yeo and from the tide in the Taw estuary.

The Environment Agency is issuing the notices to explain the flood warning system and the different responsibilities. “While we do not wish to alarm people, it is important that everyone receiving this information reads it and is clear about what could happen, what they can do to limit damage and what help will be available," explained Adrian Rushworth.

The Agency says that flood defences regularly continue to protect the towns from flooding. “But,” says Adrian Rushworth, "Flood defences reduce the risk of flooding but cannot give absolute protection in severe conditions. It is vital that everyone knows what to do if flooding happens and that is particularly important in urban areas.”

Meanwhile, a new sort of flood defence system got it first outing along the River Seven this week. The Agency's emergency flood defence teams began installing Shrewsbury's brand new 'demountable' flood barriers on the Frankwell bank of the Severn on Sunday, in readiness for predicted high river levels as peak flows work their way down the Severn.

Preparation was also being made to erect the Severn's second 'demountable' system which was installed last year at Bewdley in Worcestershire, about 30 miles further downstream.

These types of Barriers are suitable where the long lead-time to flooding (i.e. time from rain falling to peak flow) gives time to re-install the defences anew. The modular barriers are erected when a risk of flooding is predicted, and are removed when the danger has passed.

Underground the metal piles with their concrete topping remain in place permanently and the aluminium demountable barriers are bolted to them when the occasion demands.

Along with Bewdley in Worcestershire, this represents the first use of 'demountable' flood defences in the UK.