Bridgwater Tidal Barrier gets go-ahead from Government
Construction of the £100m Bridgwater Tidal Barrier has moved a step nearer. A Barrier will help to protect some 13,000 homes and businesses from flooding.
Ten free Somerset shows with films new and old
A new Somerset film called Down by the River premieres in February, with ten free screenings countywide. Each event will also include an entertaining and thought-provoking selection of Somerset archive films. Down by the River is a documentary about the inspiring ways that communities across Somerset have responded to flooding.
Enlarged rivers to safeguard Somerset Levels
Two rivers are being made bigger this autumn to help reduce flood risks across 150 square miles of the Somerset Levels and Moors. The River Sowy-King’s Sedgemoor Drain Enhancements Scheme (Phase One) is being delivered for Somerset Rivers Authority by the Environment Agency. The scheme is being partly funded by Growth Deal money from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, as part of a wide-ranging programme of works spread over several years costing £7.2 million.
New app gets Somerset walking and talking about climate change
Somerset Trails is a new FREE mobile app. It gives people active and interesting opportunities to explore the local impacts of climate change, and looks at ways that nature could help Somerset adapt to increased risks of flooding and drought.
New app helps Somerset Levels plan for climate change
Ways of adapting to climate change on the Somerset Levels can be explored with a new web-based app. The app is part of the Adapting the Levels project, which is backed by Somerset Rivers Authority. Its purpose is to help local people and organisations turn ideas into plans for action, particularly as regards flooding and drought.
SRA partners work to reduce Somerset flood risks
Somerset Rivers Authority is to spend £3.44 million on 21 projects giving Somerset residents greater flood protection and resilience. Towns, villages and rural river catchments across Somerset will benefit from the SRA’s 2021-22 Enhanced Programme of works. All activities are designed to fulfil the objectives of Somerset’s 20 Year Flood Action Plan
12 ways for Somerset farmers to win grants
Farmers are being invited to bid in Somerset’s biggest ever auction for works to reduce flooding, boost agriculture and improve the environment. The auction will run online from Monday 1 March to Monday 15 March. Grants for up to 12 different measures are available, from a total funding pot of £60,000.
New dredging to cut flood risks on Somerset Levels
A new section of the River Parrett is to be dredged for Somerset Rivers Authority, to reduce flood risks to local people, properties, roads and land. Large quantities of silt will be removed from 1.37miles (2.2km) of the river between Moorland and the M5, to increase its capacity to carry flood water.
Flood works on Somerset Levels boost 100 water control features
Three projects to reduce local flood risks and improve the environment have been carried out for Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) on the Somerset Levels. The works at Egypt’s Clyse on Othery Rhyne and on the Moorlinch and Westmoor Raised Water Level Areas are part of the SRA's overarching plan to enhance the River Sowy-King’s Sedgemoor Drain (KSD) system. Sowy-KSD works are being delivered for the SRA by the Environment Agency.
Farmers bid online for Somerset flood works
Farmers across Somerset made well over 100 bids in the county’s biggest auction yet for works to help stop flooding. The auction ran online in the second half of March. Somerset Rivers Authority, the Environment Agency and the Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group SouthWest offered farmers a choice of up to seven different methods of natural flood management. Bids are now being checked.