Action taken to stop Torbay event cancellations after heavy rain (From Mid Devon Star)

Action taken to stop Torbay event cancellations after heavy rain

10:44am Thursday 12th July 2012 in Devon

Torbay Council is working with event organisers to prevent a number of events from being cancelled due to water logged sites.

Torbay has experienced extremely heavy rainfall over the last few months, more than three times the normal monthly average and many of the Bay’s parks and open spaces are now flooded to the extent that the land drainage is not coping with the removal and dispersal of standing water.

The event sites affected are: Brixham • St Mary’s Park Paignton • Paignton Middle Green • Victoria Park • Preston Green Torquay • Torre Abbey Meadows.

A Torbay Council spokesperson said: “Paignton Green and Torre Abbey Meadows are being monitored on a daily basis. Drainage channels are being cleared and de-compaction of ground is being arranged so to help remove the water.

"Unless we have a period of dry weather for more than ten days, machinery will be unable to access these areas.

"Many of these areas of open spaces are used for events and we have advised event organisers that the ground is currently unsafe for use but have offered many of the events alternative sites.

“Many of our parks are shared uses which include sport and events throughout the year. Continual use of these areas could jeopardise the long term condition of sports pitches, putting them out of action for future sporting seasons.

"Drainage systems normally works on our sports pitches but again such high levels of rainfall at this time have led to many of our sports pitches flooding and are also unsafe for current use.”

Members of the public who would like more information about events at the affected sites should call 01803 208862