Prince of Wales Pier, Falmouth pipes plan to tackle flooding

The Environment Agency is seeking pre-application advice from Cornwall Council to build surface water pipes from the west side of Market Strand to outfall on the south side of the Prince of Wales Pier. 

The proposed development is to try to alleviate the current surface water flooding issues along the High Street and Market Strand, therefore protecting properties and businesses in this area from flooding.

Flooding on Market Strand in November last year (Image: Belinda Bray)

This will require the construction of two slot drains located on either side of Market Strand, with two new pipes leading to a manhole linking these to a single new pipe to outfall into the Falmouth estuary.

The construction of road gullies will capture and drain more of the excess surface water in the area, reducing the frequency and extent of flooding.

The scheme includes the following proposed works which will be included in the planning application:

• The construction of two linear drainage channels ‘slot drains’ on either side of Market Strand opposite the entrance to the Prince of Wales Pier, with two new surface water pipes leading from each drain and linking to a manhole on the entrance to the pier to form one single pipe (the pipe from the drain on the eastern side of Market Strand will cross the public highway).

• The new surface water pipe will lead north east along the pier and then head south east to an outfall into the Falmouth Estuary through the Grade II Listed wall on the southern side of the pier. A manhole will be constructed where the pipe takes a right turn toward the south side of the pier for inspection and maintenance.

A manhole creates a whirlpool during flooding in 2013 (Image: File)

A spokesperson from the Environment Agency said: "There are three options under consideration in relation to the method of outfall to the estuary.

"Our preferred option involves a proposed 900mm maximum diameter surface water pipe discharging water through the wall via a flap valve on the seaward side of the wall, similar to those on the North side of the pier, to resist back flow, at a height of approximately 300mm above beach level."

The agency say the funding of the scheme is currently being investigated and not yet confirmed.

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However back in September 2020, Defra announced that Falmouth had been given a half a million pound windfall to tackle town centre flooding.

In an announcement, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the money will be used to protect shops and homes, and help the town grow.

The town has a long history of flooding in this area, going back years.

In 2016 a "three foot river" flowed down Killigrew Street and flooded Market Strand and Prince of Wales Pier.

Six years earlier there had more flash flooding around the Prince of Wales Pier, as torrential rain hit the town.

Coastguards were called into action to cordon off parts of Falmouth as the rain caused drains to burst and some roads to flood.