SRA Annual Report 2020-21: Introduction to Resilient Infrastructure section

2020-21 Summary

Extra maintenance works across Somerset to reduce flood risks to roads and nearby properties, including drain jetting and de-silting of structures, and upgrades in Bruton, Kingston St Mary and North Petherton. New silt traps at Barrington. Ongoing study of the catchment around the A38 Blackbird Bends near Wellington. Progress with schemes at Carhampton and Chadmead.

Objectives

Two of the six main objectives in Somerset’s 20 Year Flood Action Plan relate directly to making Somerset’s infrastructure more resilient. One is to ‘Maintain access for communities and business’, another is to ‘Ensure strategic road and rail connectivity, both within Somerset and through the county to the South West peninsula’.

Both these targets stem from the frustrations of 2013-14, when floods closed 81 roads, often for long periods. Countless people suffered difficulties. Businesses lost time and money. 86% of Somerset businesses were badly hit, costing the local economy up to £15 million.

As it oversees the Flood Action Plan, Somerset Rivers Authority therefore deals with highways as well as waterways. Many places susceptible to local road flooding benefit from extra maintenance works funded by the SRA, and drainage upgrades that make a difference locally. Bigger projects tackle long-running problems, for example on the A39 through Carhampton.

SRA studies provide new insights into flooding problems, for example in the catchment upstream of Blackbird Bends on the A38 near Wellington. This is one of the busiest roads in Somerset and one prone to flooding.