A rural flooding action group has hailed the government’s £50 million investment as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to safeguard Somerset communities from future flooding.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) announced that Somerset Council will receive £50 million to enhance flood defences and improve water management following the devastating impacts of Storm Chandra this winter.
Somerset Council plans to publish detailed proposals on how the funding will be allocated within the coming weeks, with all projects required to be completed within two years.
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The Three Villages Flood Group (3VFG), representing residents of Ashington, Chilton Cantelo, and Mudford in the River Yeo catchment north of Yeovil, warmly welcomed the news. However, they emphasized the importance of including rural communities in decision-making processes and addressing flood risks before water reaches lower-lying Somerset Levels.
Group chair Kay Mackenzie said, “This funding is excellent news for Somerset, and we strongly welcome it. But flood resilience doesn’t start at the Levels—it begins much further upstream. To truly reduce flood risk across the county, we must understand and manage water movement through villages, waterways, farmland, and drainage systems long before it reaches the Levels.”
Residents in the three villages have repeatedly experienced road flooding, threats to homes and businesses, and community disruption during severe weather events. Mudford is also set for significant housing growth over the next decade following a judicial review rejection related to the Up Mudford development, raising concerns about worsening local flooding.
“When roads flood in villages like Mudford, Chilton Cantelo, and Ashington, communities become isolated, journeys are disrupted, and emergency access becomes more difficult,” Mackenzie said. “These impacts are just as serious to those affected as flooding elsewhere. Rural communities deserve to be part of both the solution and the investment.”
The group is gathering comprehensive evidence including photographs, flood records, resident accounts, and local knowledge of drainage infrastructure. They are examining issues such as road flooding, risks to homes and businesses, community isolation, infrastructure limitations, cumulative effects of future development, and natural flood management opportunities.
Mackenzie concluded, “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The greatest benefits will come from investing throughout the entire catchment. By slowing, storing, and managing water upstream, we can protect local communities and support flood resilience downstream.”
Council leader Bill Revans assured that many partner organizations will be consulted before spending decisions are finalized. “We welcome this vital investment into Somerset’s future,” he said. “This winter has shown our environment’s vulnerability to climate change. We must help our communities adapt and become more resilient. We will collaborate closely with partners such as the Environment Agency, Somerset Rivers Authority, Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England, and local communities to ensure this funding delivers lasting benefits.”