SRA Annual Report 2018-19: Triple C match-funded schemes begun or completed (W2)

About Triple C match-funded schemes

The EU’s Interreg 2 Seas part-funds Hills to Levels through the Triple C initiative. The three Cs stand for Climate resilient, Community-based, and Catchment planning and management. The SRA match-funds Triple C schemes in Somerset. A short film showcasing Hills to Levels was entered for the Interreg 2 Seas Video Awards in March 2019. (It won in April 2019).

Aisholt Common

The Quantock Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Service led work at three sites to slow the flow of run-off, reduce soil erosion, and trap sediment. Features included two cascades of woody dams, which used timber and brash from locally pruned-out silver birch and beech trees, and the installation of coir matting. The scheme complements earlier SRA-funded activities on the Quantocks, and will help to reduce flood risks lower down at West Bagborough. See also the entry for West Bagborough in the main section on 2018-19 NFM schemes.

Cothelstone

A sluice structure has been installed to enable a large freshly-desilted pond to operate as a leaky pond that can store more water and then release it slowly. The new structure consists of weir boards, a pipe with a sluice gate, stone blockwork to protect the outlet banks and stone downstream to prevent scouring. It replaced a broken penstock. This is Phase 2 of a bigger scheme. Phase 1 was described in the main section on 2018-19 NFM schemes. Phase 3 will involve restoring historic silt traps upstream.

Dommett – Folly Farmyard

A clay-lined pond has been created in the corner of a boggy field, to fill during periods of high flows from an adjacent ditch, with a pipe outlet to the ditch. Spoil was used to raise the level of a wet gateway and the feeder ditch to the pond was cleaned out.

Fitzhead – Knights Farm

A scheme was designed for an infiltration ditch, extended hedgebank and hedge-planting to help control run-off. Works are due to be carried in 2019.

Odcombe – (x2)

A pond was enlarged and a penstock installed to create more storage for flood water and provide more control over water levels. Martock’s flood wardens have been enthusiastic supporters of this scheme.

Marcombe Valley

Seven leaky woody dams have been created and monitoring equipment installed in the Marcombe Valley, near Ashbrittle in the River Tone catchment. (More information is given on p. 28 in the introduction to this W2 section).

Montacute

A leaky woody dam cascade has been created in a small stream running through Mill Copse in the grounds of the National Trust’s Montacute House near Yeovil. This will help to slow the flow at the top of the Wellhams Brook catchment, which feeds down past Martock into the River Parrett, and improve water quality by filtering out sediments.

Shepton Montague – Higher Farm

Eight woody dams have been created to help slow the flow down to Pitcombe.

Stoke Trister – near Wincanton

Four leaky woody dams have been built in a small channel at Culverwell, which is known for being quite flash-floody in winter and has caused localised road flooding downstream.

Thorne St Margaret – Rewe Farm

0.4 hectares of trees were planted in a field above a steep bank that had previously collapsed onto the road. The trees will help to prevent future landslides by binding soil with their roots and drawing up water. Triple C contributed 60% towards the labour costs of planting the trees and erecting fencing, plus the fencing materials. The SRA match-funded 40%. See also the entry for Thorne St Margaret in the main section on 2018-19 schemes.

Tintinhull – Perrins Hill Farm

Four leaky woody dams have been created along a tributary of Wellhams Brook, to slow down and store winter rainfall upstream of Martock in the River Parrett catchment.

Wiveliscombe

Fencing has been re-positioned along the top of part of Pyncombe Lane where a steep bank has previously collapsed and blocked the road. The SRA previously funded bank stabilisation. This extra work will help to further reduce the risk of landslides in wet weather.

Wincanton – Moorhayes Farm

Ten leaky dams have been created at two sites to trap woody debris and slow the flow of water.

Wincanton – Suddon Grange Farm

Six leaky dams (four woody, two brushwood) have been installed along a small brook to help slow the flow of water.