I welcome this £50 million investment in Somerset's flood resilience. Following the extensive flooding we saw this winter, I have lobbied both the Environment Agency and the Government for additional support to help protect communities across the constituency from future flood events.
This funding needs to be turned into a clear and deliverable programme of action. Residents will want to see exactly how the money will be spent, what projects will be prioritised and when work will begin.
It is vital that this investment helps protect vulnerable communities such as Moorland and Fordgate which have experienced repeated flooding challenges. But it must also combat less well known issues, such as the repeated flooding at Combwich, where targeted interventions can make a real difference.
Flood resilience must also be looked at more broadly. We need to review the Environment Agency's trigger points for action, ensure rivers and watercourses are properly maintained, including through dredging where appropriate, and make sure flood mitigation measures delivered through new developments are regularly inspected and properly maintained. Too often features such as attenuation ponds and other drainage infrastructure are approved at the planning stage but their long-term upkeep becomes an afterthought.
I will work with Somerset Council, the Environment Agency and local communities to ensure this funding delivers practical measures that reduces flood risk, improves resilience and better protects homes and businesses across the county.
