A key stretch of the River Parrett in Somerset will not be dredged this year, it has been confirmed.
The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA), created in 2015 to coordinate flood prevention efforts following the disastrous flooding of 2012 and 2013/2014, had intended to carry out dredging on the river between Oath and Burrowbridge this autumn.
But this has now been delayed because of its “complex and sensitive nature”.
Background and context
Oath to Burrowbridge project work began in late 2017. Since then, the design, bathymetric and topographic surveys, numerical modelling and the production of environmental surveys and reports have all been undertaken.
The project was approved by the Board to be undertaken as soon as an affordable and legally compliant scheme could be developed.
The project team have been working to a program that would started work on site in Autumn 2018.
“ However, although preparations have progressed, there remain a number of aspects which require further work to meet the brief given by the Board. It is now not possible to commence work on site this Autumn, ” according to an official announcement.
Dredging work is now likely to take place in early 2019.