Works to reduce flood risks for drivers on the A359 through Marston Magna, and village properties, finished one week ahead of schedule on 28 October 2022. Somerset County Council's Highways department made various important repairs and improvements, following on from research into local flooding problems done for Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).
Extra funding for three projects to reduce local flood risks has been approved by the Board of Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). Members acted to ensure that maintenance dredging along the River Parrett, and works on culverts and other features in Rode and Beckington, could go ahead in the next few weeks and months.
Work has begun on a £4.2 million refurbishment of Dunball Sluice north of Bridgwater, one of the Environment Agency’s most important tidal defence assets. Improvements are due to be completed by 2024. They are largely being funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), with Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) contributing an additional £650,000 as part of its mission to give Somerset greater flood protection.
A new award has been launched to honour people in Somerset who have made their communities more resilient. If you live in Somerset, and you know of groups or individuals who have made a difference where you live, nominate them by 30 September 2022. The award ceremony will be held on 13 October at the 2022 Somerset Community Resilience Day in West Monkton.
The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) Annual Report 2021-22 covers dozens of activities funded by the SRA between the start of April 2021 and the end of March 2022. During that time, the SRA spent £2.831 million on extra flood protection and resilience works across Somerset.
New Somerset documentary Down by the River is released online on 1 June, following a successful tour of venues around Somerset. Down by the River is about the inspiring ways that communities across Somerset have responded to flooding. It was commissioned by Somerset Rivers Authority from the Bridgwater-based charity Somerset Film.
Somerset residents are invited to the first Somerset Water Forum, for a day of presentations and discussions about water-related issues in Somerset. This free event is being held on Friday 17 June at the Junction 24 Conference Centre in North Petherton. Speakers include Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow, who is a Government minister with responsibility for floods and water.
An adviser is being sought to help motivated Somerset groups and communities turn ideas into action and solve local flooding problems. The deadline for applications for this new job is 6pm on Monday 23 May (2022).
Somerset farmers are invited to bid in a revamped auction for works to reduce flooding, boost agriculture, and improve the environment. The event is being organised by the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest for Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) and Bristol Water. The funding available is £60,000, with £40,000 coming from the SRA, and £20,000 from Bristol Water. The auction will run online from Monday 14 March to Monday 28 March. The focus this year is on the upper and mid-level catchments of the Axe, Brue and Frome rivers within Somerset, and the upper and mid-level catchments of rivers and streams within West Somerset.
Construction of the £100m Bridgwater Tidal Barrier has moved a step nearer. A Barrier will help to protect some 13,000 homes and businesses from flooding.