Floods Minister visits Somerset, MPs debate Somerset floods
Members of the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Board met Floods Minister Emma Hardy when she visited Langport, Thorney and Drayton in Somerset to see this winter’s flooding on the Somerset Levels and Moors.
The minister was invited to visit Somerset by Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke during a debate in Parliament on 5 February about Sustainable Drainage Systems, which featured Somerset.
Among those the minister met in Somerset on Tuesday 10 February were SRA Chair Cllr Mike Stanton, SRA Vice Chair Tony Bradford, SRA deputy Board member Rebecca Horsington and SRA Management Group member Iain Sturdy (all in the group portrait at the top of this page * – more details at the bottom of this page).
“A really worthwhile visit”
Cllr Stanton said: “It was a really worthwhile visit from a sympathetic minister and her Director of Flood & Water. The ministerial team recognised the importance and uniqueness of the SRA and undertook to ensure its future funding, with potential for improving that. The need for further action, beyond the current resources of the SRA, was understood and accepted.”
Among the subjects discussed was whether more permanent pumps should be installed by the Environment Agency, for example at Northmoor Pumping Station and Dunball.
Cllr Stanton said: “Whilst the current high water levels, very close to 2014 levels, remain a huge worry, we can begin to be optimistic that the situation will be improved – but how soon? Let’s hope that the wheels of government turn quickly enough.”
Minister reveals Somerset water level management to be reviewed
The day after the minister’s visit to Somerset, on Wednesday 11 February, there was a further debate in Parliament about Storm Chandra flooding. In this debate, both Sarah Dyke and Emma Hardy drew upon what they had seen and talked about on their visit to Somerset.
Ms Hardy said the visit had been “invaluable”: “We witnessed the extent of the flooding across the Somerset moors and levels… I saw the impact of the 16 days of incident response, villages cut off by flooded roads and the impact on people’s mental health.
She added: “I am pleased to say, following my visit, that the Environment Agency has committed to reviewing the issues around water level management in Somerset once this incident has come to an end. It will work closely with the internal drainage boards and the council as part of the wider recovery plan. The review will consider several important questions: when pumps should be activated, whether the current trigger points are right, and whether installing permanent pumps in certain locations could offer better value for money in the long term.”
Other speakers in the debate included Taunton and Wellington MP Gideon Amos.
MP debates Somerset flood needs
Numerous subjects were raised, including main river maintenance, natural flood management, the role of farmers, the place of new homes, and people’s understanding of what it means to be “flood-resilient”.
Mr Amos spoke of residents’ desire for “better communication, so they have the maximum information about what is happening with the Levels—when pumping will or will not start—as well as about the long-term plan that is needed after this flooding event to reduce flooding”.
Ms Dyke agreed that “communities should have better real-time information on flooding”.
She cited a scheme led and funded by Somerset Rivers Authority, working with the Environment Agency: “There is a really good example of that in the River Cam catchment, where flood monitors have been put on bridges and an app tracks the flow of water so that communities within the catchment are aware of any significant increase in the water levels. I hope that that can be rolled out so that our communities can be better protected and can better protect themselves in these instances of terrific rainfall.”
River maintenance and owners’ responsibilities
Ms Dyke also touched upon the rights and responsibilities that come with owning a watercourse, known as riparian responsibilities. These cover, for example, the need to keep a watercourse in a fit state for water to flow through it.
Ms Dyke said: “Many riparian owners are confused about what their responsibilities are, and more must still be done to improve communication and understanding. This lack of clarity is causing frustration and yet further anxiety.”
The Environment Agency is running a consultation until April 2026 on proposals to withdraw maintenance from some main rivers across Somerset, maintenance which was being done by the Environment Agency on a discretionary basis. Withdrawal would leave maintenance needing to be done by the actual owners of these rivers, the riparian owners.
Ms Dyke asked the Minister: “Should the consultation come back saying that riparian owners need to continue to do their own maintenance work, what support will be put in place for those who do not have the equipment or the wherewithal to support that? If we are looking at a holistic approach, then if one riparian owner decides not to do any maintenance, what will be the knock-on effect? How do we then ensure that our network of rivers is resilient and does not flood other areas?”
Emma Hardy replied: “The challenge that the hon. Lady sets out is the next step. For me, the first step is to see what the response to the consultation says and then we can continue the conversations. However, I recognise her point about riparian ownership and responsibility, and the challenge of what happens if everyone does not respond to the responsibility in the same way.”
Investment and “the human dimension of flooding”
“As we look to the future, we must ensure that the investment continues to be targeted, effective and sustainable.
“Beyond the technical and financial considerations, we must recognise the human dimension of flooding.
“Behind every statistic is a person—someone who has had to leave their home, someone who has lost possessions, someone who is worried about the future.
“Flooding affects mental health, financial stability and community cohesion.
“It can take months or even years for people to fully recover.
“That is why our response must be compassionate, comprehensive and long term.”
* In the group portrait at the top of this page, from left: Councillor Bill Revans, Leader of Somerset Council; James Winslade, farmer; Rebecca Horsington, deputy SRA Board member for the Parrett Internal Drainage Board (IDB), and a director of the Association of Drainage Authorities; Iain Sturdy, Chief Executive of Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium; Emma Hardy, Floods Minister; Tony Bradford, SRA Vice Chair and Chair of the Parrett IDB; Councillor Mike Stanton, SRA Chair and a director of the Association of Drainage Authorities; Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton; Phil Lodge, Environment Agency Director of Operations South and South West.