An inspection of Highway Dam in St Blazey has shown an unacceptable risk to life from the rail embankment collapsing when the reservoir is storing water. This requires removal or strengthening under the Reservoirs Act 1975.

The reason removal has been chosen rather than strengthening is Highway Dam provides minimal flood risk benefit now than it was originally designed to. This is a result of the recently constructed flood walls downstream now provide a similar level of flood protection to the properties of Par as the reservoir has provided previously. A number of properties will see their flood risk improved following dam removal as the flood plain will be available later in a flood as levels peak.

The dam will be removed in Summer 2023, in line with the requirements of Section 10 of the Reservoirs Act. There will be limited additional disruption in the area as we undertake this work.

If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact DCISEnquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Flooding often takes people by surprise.

This @Aardman Animations film, told from the perspective of Missy the cat, shows how flooding can quickly affect your home.

Find out how you can make yourself flood ready - BeFloodReady | Property Flood Resilience (PFR) | Helping reduce flood risk.

To report concerns about local road flooding problems or drainage or to find out how to get help, please use the links below:

Local drainage issues

Report a highway problem to Cornwall Council

To report urgent problems where there are large areas of standing water or the road is impassable and is causing a safety hazard or water from the highway is flooding adjacent property, please telephone 0300 1234 222 (24 hour service) giving details of the location. In extreme weather conditions with heavy rainfall, work will be prioritised according to severity and availability of resource.

Blocked or overflowing sewers

Report blocked or overflowing sewers to South West Water

Telephone: 0344 346 2020

Blocked or damaged watercourses

Report blocked/damaged watercourses to the Report an environmental incident to the Environment Agency

Incident hotline
Telephone: 0800 80 70 60
24-hour service
Click on the link above to find out about call charges

Cornwall Community Flood Forum

Visit the website of the Cornwall Community Flood Forum

Specialist insurance help for homeowners

For information about the specialist insurance scheme for homeowners at risk of flooding, visit the website of FloodRe

Other

Contact the StARR team by email: starr@cornwall.gov.uk and we'll see if we can help.