SRA Annual Report 2020-21: Enhanced maintenance of highways and structures
Activities in 2020-21
Drain jetting
209 places benefitted in 2020-21:
- 45 in Mendip
- 47 in Sedgemoor
- 62 in Somerset West and Taunton
- 55 in South Somerset
Under existing budgets, Somerset County Council’s Highways Department can only afford to jet drains when a bad blockage has occurred. SRA funding allows for earlier preventative maintenance at locations known to suffer problems with flooding. Final selections of drains for jetting are made using local knowledge and professional judgement.
Asset upgrades at frequently jetted sites
Works were carried out in 2020-21 at two locations, both in Dropping Lane, Bruton (the B3081), a busy road because of the popular Hauser & Wirth Somerset art gallery.
Since 2016, SRA funding has allowed for extra pro-active drain jetting at many places, as outlined in the previous paragraph (209 places in 2020-21).
Some drains have had to be jetted many times, which indicates intrinsic problems that it makes sense to fix.
Hence SRA-funded asset upgrades.
De-silting of structures
Works were carried out in 2020-21 at six locations.
Mendip
Croscombe, where the River Sheppey goes under the Back Lane-A371 junction, near the primary school.
Laverley, where a watercourse goes under Mead Lane near the Apple Tree Inn’s car park, just off the A361 between West Pennard and Pilton.
Stoke Bottom, where Mells Stream goes under Limekiln Lane, down the hill from Fairy Cave Quarry.
Sedgemoor
Cheddar, work began on a culverted watercourse which goes under Labourham Way off the A371.
Somerset West and Taunton
Bishops Lydeard, where Back Stream goes under the Mount Street crossroads near the entrances to the Quantock Vale Surgery, and the Village Hall and Recreation Ground.
Stringston, where a tributary of Bayley’s Brook rises near Stringston Farm.