A Community Flood Action Fund case study
The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Community Flood Action Fund gave West Buckland Parish Council £3,100 for a project to reduce flood risks along Asham Lane in Ham near Wellington.
Asham Lane flooded more than 10 times in 2024, chiefly impeding access.
In 2024, residents clubbed together to pay for some desilting of the stream along the lower part of Asham Lane (pictured below) but this action alone was not enough to make a lasting difference.
A plan was therefore drawn up to increase the capacity of two nearby watercourses, by de-silting 275 metres of one, and de-silting and clearing vegetation and debris along 200 metres of another. This plan was drawn up with advice and support from Somerset Council’s Highways Department.
The photos below – used courtesy of local resident Sue Singleton – show some of the works done. Text continues after images.
Somerset Council’s Highways Department also cleared and unblocked two culverts that go under Asham Lane, as a bottleneck effect was causing large amounts of water to back up all the way back down the lane.
The nearby landowner and his tenant farmer have also agreed to maintain the improved state of these two watercourses in future, in accordance with their riparian responsibilities.
The verdict so far
In their project completion report, West Buckland Parish Council said they were very happy with the works done.
To quote parish clerk Jill Larcombe: “The photographs speak louder than words! There is now depth and width for the water to flow.”
The report added that increased rainfall in autumn and winter should help to better indicate the project’s success.
On which note, Sue Singleton kindly sent three more photographs taken on the morning of Friday 24 October, after a week of heavy rain. All are below.
Sue’s comment: “Impressive hey?”
