A CAMPAIGN group set up in the wake of the devastating Somerset floods of 2013/14 are questioning the approach of the Environment Agency (EA) ahead of a predicted wet winter.
As of November 2024, the Somerset Levels and Moors’ catchments are already saturated; it’s a situation the EA’s Director of Wessex, Ian Withers, recognises: “We understand that public anxiety is high about flooding.”
The EA says it is actively looking ahead at the weather forecasts and “preparing” for another wet winter and will keep local plans under review.
It comes as campaigners for the Flooding on the Levels Action Group (FLAG) scrutinise the EA’s approach.
Bryony Sadler, a resident of Moorland for over 23 years and vocal campaigner for flood prevention, says the EA does not provide “value for money for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs” and uses allocated funds “to do something completely different to what villagers’ ask for.”
She says: "We can manage with three to four pumps in addition to what is housed in the Pumping Station. As we have learnt, there are issues with getting enough water to the pumps because of bridges restricting the flow, and a lack of maintenance on the drains and rhynes."
"We obviously welcome pumps, but we don't need all 10 attached to the pipes running full force as there just isn't the water to do so."
The longer-term perspective with climate change also means it is possible that there may be demands for these pumps in areas that are higher risk.
As Ian Withers comments: “Somerset might not always be at the top of the list for pumps. We try and protect areas at greatest risk first – for example where there is high population density, or critical infrastructure.”
Areas prone to flooding deemed at higher risk that the Somerset Levels - for instance, Tewkesbury with the River Severn and a larger population - are potential destinations for the pumps.
Another concern for FLAG is the investment of £700,000 in new concrete slabs and consultation meetings adjacent to Northmoor Pumping Station - a significant sum of money that Bryony had to submit four Freedom of Information request to obtain.
Upstream, the £249 million Bridgwater Tidal Barrier is another project which receives funding from the EA.
It’s a project Ian Withers has faith in as, when it’s constructed, it “will mitigate the threat of flooding in Bridgwater and the Parrett catchment in the long term. In the meantime, we’re in a good position to put our pumps in place to do what we can.”
Bryony believes otherwise, claiming that “it will only work if it is operated by something other than the Environment Agency. Under the EA’s proposals, the barrier will only go up twice a year. They aren’t going to lift or drop as regularly as we might need.”
It is estimated that the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier will reduce tidal flood risk to 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses in the area.
The last two winters in Somerset have been the wettest on record and saw the Environment Agency declare a 'Major Incident' in January 2023.
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