Somerset Dredging Plan Gets Support (UK)

A key scheme to dredge two of Somerset’s main rivers has been supported by Somerset County Council with a commitment of £300,000.

Members of the County Council’s Cabinet today agreed to contribute to a dredging fund and also endorsed other recommendations of a county flooding action plan.

The cash will be used to dredge sections of the Rivers Parrett and Tone, increasing the capacity of the watercourses and allowing rainwater to drain away more effectively.

The action plan was drawn up after a Flooding Summit held in May which included representatives from the County Council, District Councils, the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and the Internal Drainage Board, as well as many other interested parties.

Last winter’s extreme weather led to widespread flooding across the county, affecting homes, businesses and farmland, as well as road and rail routes.

Councillor David Hall, Somerset County Council Cabinet member for Business, Inward Investment and Policy, said: “Last winter’s flooding had a severe impact on residents and businesses throughout the County.

“Whilst we can’t control the weather, I believe it is tremendously important that the County Council does everything it can, working with other agencies, to minimise the impacts of such extreme conditions.

“We hope that this contribution from Somerset County Council will encourage others to step forward to support this important additional drainage work.”

“Dredging the rivers could help reduce both the depth and duration of flooding, which would be great news for everyone who lives, works or travels in the areas affected last year.”

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Press Release, September 12, 2013