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Bridgwater barrage in £100m Somerset flood plan | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A tidal barrage at Bridgwater and dredging on the Somerset Levels form part of a £100m plan to combat flooding, the BBC understands. | A tidal barrage at Bridgwater and dredging on the Somerset Levels form part of a £100m plan to combat flooding, the BBC understands. |
Villages on the Levels have been cut off for more than two months following the wettest winter on record. | Villages on the Levels have been cut off for more than two months following the wettest winter on record. |
Prime Minster David Cameron has said that "money is no object" in sorting out the current flooding problems. | Prime Minster David Cameron has said that "money is no object" in sorting out the current flooding problems. |
Dozens have contributed to the 20-year Flood Action Plan, which is due to be presented to the government. | Dozens have contributed to the 20-year Flood Action Plan, which is due to be presented to the government. |
The draft report, seen by the BBC, goes in to detail on a number of measures to prevent a repeat of this winter's floods. | The draft report, seen by the BBC, goes in to detail on a number of measures to prevent a repeat of this winter's floods. |
It lists actions that could either help prevent flooding, or reduce the impact when it happens, and gives some idea of costs and ease with which they could be done. | It lists actions that could either help prevent flooding, or reduce the impact when it happens, and gives some idea of costs and ease with which they could be done. |
The government has already pledged £10m in support for Somerset, but the report suggests 10 times that amount will be needed over the next decade alone. | The government has already pledged £10m in support for Somerset, but the report suggests 10 times that amount will be needed over the next decade alone. |
The plan includes a barrage across the River Parrett downstream of Bridgwater, to hold back the highest tides - but estimates it would be 15 years before that would be built. | The plan includes a barrage across the River Parrett downstream of Bridgwater, to hold back the highest tides - but estimates it would be 15 years before that would be built. |
It also suggests that the A361 and routes into cut-off communities - including Muchelney - are raised, but adds that this will require further investigation. | It also suggests that the A361 and routes into cut-off communities - including Muchelney - are raised, but adds that this will require further investigation. |
The report includes plans previously announced to dredge five miles (8km) of the rivers Tone and Parrett - restoring them to their condition in the 1960s. | The report includes plans previously announced to dredge five miles (8km) of the rivers Tone and Parrett - restoring them to their condition in the 1960s. |
It estimates this should start at the end of the month and that it will cost more than £5.5m and then £1.2m each year to maintain. | It estimates this should start at the end of the month and that it will cost more than £5.5m and then £1.2m each year to maintain. |
It also includes repairs to around 28 miles of flood-affected roads, resurfacing them with more flood resilient material and looking at making the pumps at Dunball and Beer Wall permanent to help clear water more quickly. | It also includes repairs to around 28 miles of flood-affected roads, resurfacing them with more flood resilient material and looking at making the pumps at Dunball and Beer Wall permanent to help clear water more quickly. |
Local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger backed plans for a barrage saying the county had got to the point that it was a "no-brainer". | |
"I don't think there's any doubt about that - we could have saved an enormous amount of worry, time and expense by having the barrage," he said. | |
"The big problem is that you've always had environmentalists saying 'you can't dam rivers' but actually thousands of houses are under threat by not having a barrage." | |
The Conservative MP said the government had already started to look at the possibility of raising roads. | |
The 23 page Somerset Levels and Moors Flood Action Plan has been compiled by Somerset County Council, the Environment Agency, residents and other interested parties. | |
They have also called on the government to look at who manages the water system and how it is all paid for. | They have also called on the government to look at who manages the water system and how it is all paid for. |
The report is expected to be delivered to Environment Minister Owen Paterson on Thursday. | The report is expected to be delivered to Environment Minister Owen Paterson on Thursday. |