The Environment Agency brought the case against South West Highways after the contractor carried out repairs on Kersham Bridge at Bridge Reeve near Chulmleigh last year.

The work required the erection of scaffolding in the River Taw under two of the bridge’s three arches.

South West Highways was expected to start work on 19 August and take approximately 4 weeks.

Land drainage consent was obtained from the Environment Agency and just before work commenced South West Highways were asked if they could also paint part of the bridge.

This additional work required scaffolding to be erected under all three arches and for it to be positioned closer to the water.

This change in the work plan considerably increased the degree of obstruction and risk of flooding but the company failed to obtain permission for the revised work.

A court heard how the repairs weren’t completed until 25 October 2013 and the scaffolding not finally removed until 26 November.

With bad weather forecast, the Environment Agency had earlier contacted South West Highways who said they would make sure the scaffolding was removed by 24 October.

On 27 October 2013 a storm struck and the river level rose. Debris became entangled in the scaffolding that acted like a dam.

The river upstream of the bridge was several feet higher than downstream, causing the river to burst its bank.

A nearby property flooded leaving the owner, a man in his 80’s, stranded upstairs while his home was left badly damaged.

Pamela Meadows for the Environment Agency said: “Care must be taken in the erection of temporary structures in rivers such as scaffolding as they can impede flows and increase the risk of flooding.

“This is especially important during periods of high rainfall as this case clearly shows. If people’s plans change after obtaining permission, they must come back to us.”

South West Highways Ltd was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £3,699 costs after pleading guilty to two Land Drainage byelaw offences.

The company was also ordered to pay £2,275 compensation to the man affected by the flooding plus a £120 victim surcharge.