SRA Annual Report 2020-21: New silt traps

Barrington: A new silt trap has been installed in Barrington, as part of a series of moves by Somerset Rivers Authority to reduce flood risks in the village. Around 25 properties and many local road users will benefit.

The silt trap is towards the bottom of Bonnings Lane. It captures sediments which could otherwise clog the local highways drainage system. Somerset County Council’s Highways Department delivered this scheme for the SRA.

Interior view of big deep central chamber of silt trap under construction in trench dug in Bonnings Lane in Barrington. — Inside the new Bonnings Lane silt trap in Barrington.

Contractor smoothing cement around new silt trap now covered with series of grilles in Bonnings Lane in Barrington. — Finishing off the installation of the Bonnings Lane silt trap in Barrington.

View looking up Bonnings Lane in Barrington of newly completed silt trap with with builders' equipment including a wheelbarrow, generator and pick-axes. — View from the bottom of Bonnings Lane in Barrington.

The silt trap complements other measures part-funded by the SRA to slow the flow of water down from fields above Bonnings Lane.

Trees planted on slope of hill just above Barrington, looking out across the village and over to the Somerset Levels. — Trees planted above Barrington.

In recent years 300 trees and 318 metres of hedge have been planted, in three schemes put together for the SRA by the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest and the landowner. The SRA paid 75% of the costs of these three schemes, the landowner 25%.

Crimchard, Chard: Two silt traps were installed along Catchgate Lane and one in Laurel Gardens. Around 60 properties and local road users will benefit. This scheme began life as a highways referral, following reports of considerable amounts of surface water and debris running off from farmland. For some sample photos supplied by Skanska (now known as Milestone), see below.

At both Barrington and Crimchard, the case for improvements was bolstered by service requests on Somerset County Council’s highways maintenance system, and local knowledge from town and parish councillors and the county council’s area highways office. The county council’s Highways Department has stressed to the SRA the importance of town and parish councils, and residents, going through the proper procedures for reporting road flooding problems. See https://www.somerset.gov.uk/ waste-planning-and-land/flooding-information/