Dawlish News

Peter Jubb, one of 98 residents evacuated from their homes in Dawlish Warren, South Devon, when flood waters surged into Hazlewood Park in December 2000, said: "For the first time in three years we can sleep soundly in our beds when the rain is pouring down during the winter. This scheme will mean we no longer have to venture outside to see if the water levels are rising."

He said some residents, many elderly, had been unable to sleep for up to a year after the 4am evacuation. Tenants were transported to temporary accommodation by helicopter or lifeboat when flood waters from nearby Shutterton Brook surged to over three feet deep in places.

"It's no fun being hauled up in a helicopter or bundled into a lifeboat when you are not too well in body," Mr Jubb said. "We were very lucky not to have someone having a heart attack or something like that. It could have been a lot worse than it was."

Mr Jubb and his local residents' association embarked on a quest to find out who was responsible for maintaining the inadequate, existing flood defence scheme. Despite some initial reluctance, Teignbridge District Council eventually agreed to take action.