Worry over Boscastle bridge plan

The River Valency will be widened under the proposals

A complex flood relief scheme for a Cornish river is being considered by district councillors.

The River Valency in Boscastle caused millions of pounds worth of damage when it burst its banks two years ago.

People were rescued by helicopters, homes were flooded and cars swept out to sea when about 440 million gallons of water swept through the village.

But some residents are concerned at Environment Agency plans to destroy a 19th Century listed bridge.

'Bridge blockage'

The agency wants to move the village car park and realign the river channel upstream. It said this should reduce the risk of flooding to one in 75 years.

Andrew Haughton, the agency's area project manager, said the plan is to replace the Lower Bridge near the harbour with a larger bridge further down stream.

Some villagers fear the work will not prevent future floods.

Chris Rodda told BBC News residents are not convinced that moving the bridge is the answer.

He said: "I can't see that shifting it 30ft (9m) is going to make any particular difference to the blockage it could cause.

"It's going to be roughly the same size with roughly the same dimensions, so it's still going to be a narrow choke, if you like, at the end of the river."