RESIDENTS of Exford have warned the village faces a growing flood threat from a gravel shoal beside its historic River Exe bridge after the Environment Agency confirmed it will no longer carry out work on the river, and its rules make it near-impossible for villagers to do it themselves.

The gravel was cleared about 12 years ago, since when it has rebuilt and become significantly worse, with trees and saplings taking root.

The agency said its assessment of flood risk depended on vegetation being managed, but admitted it had been allowed to grow unchecked since February, 2023.

Area director Mark Rice said the agency ‘will not be undertaking any works in the river at this location’.

Mr Rice said the issue should be ‘resolved and agreed between riparian owners’, who were the White Horse Inn and the county council.

Environment Agency conditions require vegetation to be removed by hand and prohibits any machinery entering the river, or even the use of an excavator to reach from the bank, because of the risk of harming fish spawning gravels.

Exford parish Cllr Jeremy Hickman said: “When the water comes it comes fast, and it comes at night, it will not be officials from the Environment Agency being evacuated at 2 am.

“It will be our pensioners and our young families.

“We have warned them for 10 years.

“This is a disaster waiting to happen, and it is entirely avoidable.”

Conservative campaigner and Exmoor farmer James Wright said: “A dozen residents have written to me, and every one of them fears the same thing.

“The Environment Agency has decided from behind a desk in Exeter that there is no risk.

“Then, written rules stop the village acting for itself.

“If the agency will not do the work, it must get out of the way and let local people manage their own river.”