Somerset’s MPs have voiced serious concerns over planned cuts to flood prevention and river maintenance in the county, urging Parliament to debate the issue urgently.
In mid-August, the Environment Agency (EA) revealed it would cease maintaining a substantial portion of Somerset’s rivers and waterways due to receiving only 60% of the funding it sought from the Treasury. This decision has sparked strong criticism from local officials. The chairman of the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) warned that such cuts could lead to a recurrence of the catastrophic floods experienced in 2012 and 2013/14.
Two of Somerset’s seven MPs have called for immediate parliamentary debate and urgent discussions with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).
READ MORE: Live Update: M5 Traffic Halted Following Cattle Trailer Overturn
READ MORE: Clarks Village Launches Free Two-Day Food Festival Celebrating Global Flavors
The EA maintains that the at-risk maintenance was “discretionary” and claims that residents will not face significantly increased flood risk. Nevertheless, the rivers affected include key waterways throughout Somerset.
On September 4, Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox (Bridgwater) reiterated his call for a government debate, expressing concern that the lack of proper maintenance might trigger flooding similar to 2013/14. He urged government leaders to prioritize this issue in Parliament.
Liberal Democrat MP Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) highlighted that the EA has sent official withdrawal notices to riparian owners, signaling a permanent end to main river maintenance in Somerset and North Somerset. She urged the environment secretary to intervene, emphasizing the critical role of regular river upkeep in flood mitigation, especially in the man-made landscape of the Somerset Levels and Moors. “Winter is coming, and rainfall with it,” she warned.
Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell responded that while she could not promise a dedicated debate, she would facilitate meetings between Somerset MPs and relevant ministers. She acknowledged ongoing issues with the EA’s follow-through on commitments and stressed the government’s determination to hold agencies accountable for flood prevention.
The EA spokesperson explained that budget restrictions meant resources must focus on areas at highest flood risk. The reductions in discretionary vegetation cutting apply to watercourses where flood risk benefits are lower, aiming to protect vulnerable properties effectively. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to managing flood risk, maintaining critical assets, and providing flood warnings.
The Somerset Rivers Authority board is scheduled to discuss the matter in greater detail at their meeting in Taunton on September 12, aiming to seek sustainable solutions for the county’s flood risk management.