Flood Action Week: Households urged to prepare for flooding
The Environment Agency - a partner in Somerset Rivers Authority - is urging people who live in areas at risk of flooding to prepare now, and take proper actions to protect their home, possessions and family. There are ongoing drought conditions in Somerset and neighbouring counties, but a key message of this year's annual Flood Action Week event (7 to 13 November 2022) is: do not be lulled into a false sense of security.
A UK first for Somerset as Exmoor river floodplain restored
Backed by Somerset Rivers Authority, the National Trust is leading a major, pioneering project to reconnect part of the River Aller on Exmoor to its original floodplain. Work on the National Trust's Holnicote estate in West Somerset has been inspired by the success of 'Stage 0' river restoration schemes in the United States. National Trust project manager Ben Eardley says: “We now have a tried and tested method to start reversing the damage done to our rivers. ‘Stage 0’ floodplain reconnection completely resets natural processes – it’s like the ‘ctrl, alt, delete’ equivalent of a computer reset - and lets the river decide what it wants to be. By seeing the river and its surrounding landscape as a whole, we can build resilience and boost biodiversity.”
New Community Resilience Award honours Somerset volunteers
A support group founder and a village community group are the first two winners of the new Somerset Community Resilience Award, launched in 2022 to celebrate Somerset volunteers who make a difference locally.
Flood works completed along A359 at Marston Magna
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).
Go-ahead for Somerset dredging and drainage works
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.
£4.2 million scheme to extend life of Dunball Sluice
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.