WORK has begun on a major project to repair a flood-damaged embankment bordering Stover Canal, paving the way for the reinstatement of a popular local footpath and cycleway later this year.

The embankment, alongside the old Sibelco quarry at East Golds, Kingsteignton, was first breached during severe flooding from Storm Bert in November 2024, with further damage caused by storms in December 2025 and again in early 2026.

The incidents destroyed a 40m section of the embankment, causing flooding into the quarry and forcing the closure of a section of the Stover Canal trail path and shared cycle route between Newton Abbot and Exeter Road.

Sibelco has now started a carefully designed programme of repair works, developed in consultation with geotechnical specialists and working closely with partners including Stover Canal Trust, Environment Agency, Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council.

The solution will see approximately 6,000 tonnes of engineered ball clay used to rebuild the damaged section of embankment, providing the structural integrity required for long-term stability.

This will be combined with imported limestone and a specialist geotechnical membrane to help protect the structure against future extreme weather events.

Subject to weather conditions, the repairs are expected to be completed over the summer, with the canal towpath and walking and cycling routes scheduled to reopen by October.

The embankment was damaged during a series of significant flooding events affecting the Teign catchment over the last two years.

Substantial volumes of water flowed into Sibelco’s former East Golds quarry from neighbouring land via a tributary of the River Lemon.

In November 2024 alone, about one million tonnes of water entered the site, with further large inflows recorded during later storms.

While this led to damage to the embankment and surrounding infrastructure, including the nearby old railway embankment and canal towpath, it also meant large volumes of water were temporarily held within the quarry rather than continuing unchecked downstream.

Sibelco said the repairs represent a ‘significant investment in infrastructure’ designed to ensure the long-term stability of the embankment and surrounding area.

They also support the wider goals of Stover Canal Trust to preserve and enhance the canal and its towpaths as a piece of living history, a haven for wildlife and a valued community resource for walkers, cyclists and residents.

Paul Taper, Chairman of the Stover Canal Trust, said: ‘We have been pleased to work with Sibelco and other partners following the storm damage and recognise the long-standing support Sibelco has provided to the trust and the canal over many years.

‘The towpath is a much-loved local route, valued by walkers and residents, and we welcome the work now under way to repair the embankment and reopen access for the community.’

Richard Giles, Kingsteignton Manager (Operations) for Sibelco, said: ‘We know how important the Stover Canal towpath is to the local community and we are pleased to have started work on this scheme to reinstate the embankment to allow the reopening of the route.

‘This has been a complex process following a series of significant flooding events and we have worked closely with specialist engineers and our partners locally to develop a robust, long-term solution.’