The Environment Agency has initiated a new consultation with residents of West Somerset regarding flooding concerns related to local rivers. This follows the agency’s decision to halt regular maintenance on several watercourses due to limited funding.
Funding Challenges and Maintenance Decisions
Since January, regular maintenance work has been paused following a budget shortfall. The agency discovered that it would only receive 60 percent of its requested funding from the Government. Key watercourses affected include:
- Washford River
- Traphole Stream
- River Avill
- The Doniford Stream
Seeking Community Evidence
The Environment Agency is reaching out to riparian owners and residents—those with properties adjacent to rivers—to gather evidence supporting the need for ongoing maintenance. This evidence will be crucial in justifying increased funding requests from the Government.
The agency has asked residents to submit up to 300 words detailing:
- Importance of watercourse maintenance to their property or community
- Known legal requirements regarding these watercourses
- Instances of flooding affecting their properties
Agency Statement and Future Plans
A spokesperson emphasized the uncertainty caused by the maintenance withdrawal. They stated the consultation aims to allow the community and partner organizations to contribute information that may highlight flood risks and environmental values in the area. This new information could bolster the case for future maintenance funding.
On classified statutory main rivers, the agency typically performs maintenance activities like weed cutting. However, due to operational cost increases, they have had to reduce work on low-risk watercourses.
The Environment Agency will continue extensive vegetation maintenance on high-risk watercourses and maintain its flood defense systems. Annually, over £11 million is dedicated to essential flood defense work, including maintaining water level control structures and providing flood warning services. Residents are encouraged to share their responses by April 30, with results of the consultation expected in the summer.
