Dredging starts soon

Read about the tests going on at the moment in order that dredging of the planned 5 mile stretch of the Parrett and Tone can start soon.

The latest Environment Agency bulletin (no 6) is here.

Dredging update

The latest news about the dredging programme is in this newsletter. It provides useful background information.

A372 likely to be closed until the end of March

Aller Drove – The EA have removed the temporary defences that were installed to protect Aller Drove.

The A372 is likely to be closed until the end of the month so that Somerset County Council Highways can carry out emergency repair works to ensure the road is safe for users. Please contact Somerset County Council Highways on 0845 345 9155 for more information.

Notices of road closures and re-instatement works is on the latest EA newsletter here.

Langport Firing Notice

The latest notice about activity on the Langport Firing Range is here.
This is the updated version dated 31/3/14

Bush Telegraph goes digital

The Aller Bush Telegraph (ABT) has provided an excellent way of communicating important news around the village. It is now going digital, using the system the Parish Council has already used to communicate flood information. It is important that everyone signs up with their email address and at least their post code, to make the system effective and cover most of the properties in the village.

Full information and the sign-up form for mailings is on the alleronline.co.uk website here.

Latest on Flood works

The flow through Monksleaze Clyce is being reduced and is operating within ‘normal’ parameters, reducing flows through the Sowy and King Sedgemoor Drain system. 

Due to improving conditions and the reduced flow through the Sowy, the large temporary pumps at Beer Wall (A372) near Aller are no longer needed and have now been removed. The A372 will remain closed after the pumps are removed so that SCC Highways can undertake an assessment of the flood damage and carry out emergency repair works to ensure the road is safe for users.

Rivers Parrett and Tone Dredging Project

EA remain on target to start dredging by the end of March 2014, provided water levels continue to drop, and the banks and adjacent land are dry enough for contractors’ machinery to work safely. The dredging work will start on a stretch of the River Parrett at Moorland House Farm. Plant will arrive on site from next Wednesday, 26 March. 

Latest news (20/3) from the EA is here. 

'Response' becomes 'Recovery'

85 days after the first winter storm struck Somerset, and with flood waters drastically reduced, there is no longer a known risk to life, so the overall command of the 'Response' to the flooding crisis in Somerset has formally passed from the police to a joint 'Recovery' operation led by Somerset County Council.

Cllr John Osman, Leader of Somerset County Council, said: “This is a big step forward for all our flood-hit communities, it is a clear indication that we are moving now to help people piece their lives and futures together again, rather than just working to keep them safe. Our thanks to everyone who has worked so hard for us all over the past weeks.”

There are still challenges for the agencies and for the communities they serve. This will in some cases require significant extra work and in some cases extra investment.

There is also a commitment to continue to engage with communities, to host the regular Wednesday evening public meeting at the Canalside Centre near Bridgwater; to provide roadshows into all flood-hit areas; to continue to provide bases in Burrowbridge and Moorland for residents to raise issues and request help and to improve communications from all agencies to the public.

A single point of contact for residents and businesses has been set up to be operated seven days a week on the phone number 0845 345 9166.

Road closures

Even though the water levels are dropping, there are still road closures in operation at Bere Wall (Seven Bends) on the A372, and on Aller Drove, and these will stay in force for some time to allow assessment of the damage to the roads and repairs to take place to make the roads safe. Although some bastions are being removed from the Drove to allow vehicles to reach Longstone Farm, it is not a sign that the road is open! Vehicles operating on this stretch of road will be an added danger.

The latest news from EA about A372 closure is here.

Firing Range

The latest timetable for the Langport Firing Range is here.

What to do when the water goes down

Advice from the Environment Agency about water supplies in flooded properties. Sensible advice if you are affected. Read the Community Update here.

With all permanent pumps now running and a forecast of some drier weather this week, the Community Situation Update (here) suggests a more positive outlook.

Update - Sunday 2nd March

The full update is available here. Locally relevant information below.
Sowy –Monksleaze Clyce was partially closed overnight due to concerns about rising levels downstream. This has now been reversed as levels have now dropped.
Aller Drove – We have placed some temporary flood defences along Aller Drove to mitigate
any increased flood risk here. The pumps at Beer Wall are running as required for the increased flows above. We will continue to monitor water levels downstream on the King’s Sedgemoor Drain as part of the overall pumping strategy and pump operating timings.