Proposals totalling more than £20m promising to help prevent significant flooding in the Levels and improve the county’s roads were unveiled by Somerset County Council today.
At a news conference this morning, it was revealed that some of the biggest schemes could be started and finished this year – before further winter floods.
The major schemes were outlined by Somerset County Council with the announcement that many of the highest priority plans could be started and finished this year.
“ This is a big day for Somerset and we are confident these schemes will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in homes, communities being cut off and main roads shut for weeks on end ,” said Council Leader John Osman.
Cllr Osman said the work would have major impacts in three key areas:
“ We are confident that with our partners, we will significantly reduce the risk of flooding on the scale seen this winter in the Somerset Levels.
“We are confident that with our partners, we will significantly reduce the risk of homes flooding.
“We are confident that with our partners, we will significantly reduce the risk of entire communities being cut off for weeks at a time.
“The 20 year flood action plan makes it absolutely clear that we cannot promise to stop all flooding. Instead we are looking to reduce the frequency, depth and duration of potential flooding. That is what today is about .”
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Press Release, April 14, 2014