With dredging on target, work will soon be at full speed to repair the damage caused by winter flooding in Somerset. In this blog we hear from Pat Hall who has been helping to plan the repair works across Somerset. Assets are banks, pumping stations, sluices, gates and coastal flood defences we maintain to help manage flood risk.
There are over 50 assets across Somerset that need repairing as a result of the winter flooding, and I’m responsible for helping to plan where and when repair work takes place with our contractor Team Van Oord (TVO).
We have already completed some of these repairs, including replenishing shingle at Stolford that was lost from the winter coastal storms and ensuring readiness for high tides. We have also completed repairs at Huish Episcopi Pumping Station. These are just some of the repairs that have already been completed, but there is more to do.
Some of the repairs are complex and need a lot of designing. For example, at Northmoor Pumping Station we are going to be carrying out a major refurbishment to make sure if and when we need to bring extra pumps, we can do quickly with minimal disruption to the community. This requires a lot of investigation work, both above and below the ground, and it’s important we involve the right people at the right time.
We are prioritising repair work where there is the greatest flood risk to people and property. This work will reduce flood risk and will ensure communities are ready for next winter. For example, bank repair work on the River Yeo and River Parrett upstream of Langport will help reduce the risk of flooding to properties in Long Load, Muchelney, Thorney, and Langport.
When making repairs we want to cause as little disruption as possible, and will try to join up with other work, such as dredging, at the same time.
We aim to have all repairs completed before winter. We know this is a challenging deadline, but we are committed to reducing flood risk for people and properties ahead of this winter. This week, TVO will be setting up a site compound at Creeds Farm, located on the A361 near Burrowbridge, to co-ordinate the recovery work. Repair work will continue at North Barrier, near Muchelney, and Allermoor Spillway this week. This month we will be repairing banks on the River Parrett downstream of Thorney, and in North Somerset on the Congresbury Yeo and River Axe. You can keep up to date with activity on our Twitter page.
We know there are some areas that you are interested in, such as Allermoor Spillway and the Parrett and Tone river bank repairs. It’s really important that we keep you up to date, and let you know about the repair work and when it will be happening. You can keep up to date with this information on the following:
- Our monthly community update – anyone can subscribe to receive this email
- Our Wessex Facebook page
- Our Twitter account
- Our Flickr photo album
- Our GOV.UK Somerset Moors and Levels web pages
- Our blog
3 comments
Comment by Rob Nyman posted on
Great Work! To protect our property from flooding..
Comment by Peter Mohan posted on
I can't seem to find anything regarding the work being undertaken on the bank of the river Yeo between Wick St Lawrence and Kingston Seymour. Am I looking in the wrong place?
Comment by Environment Agency posted on
Good Afternoon, thank you for your post. We have contacted the local area and please find the latest information below:
Welcome to Our Scheme
We have started works to the Congresbury Yeo Flood Defence Scheme which will reduce flood risk to properties in the surrounding area increased protection to properties for the next 100 years.
We have established our site offices and secure storage areas on the south side of the project. This is where our construction team will be based until the end of autumn 2015. Heavy construction plant has also been delivered to the south side of the project to start the earthworks.
We have also started to set up a much smaller compound on the north side of the site. Plant and equipment should be fully mobilised within a couple of weeks.
We understand that any increase in construction traffic can be disruptive and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Construction areas have now been fenced off and signed to prevent unauthorised access. This includes reptile fencing on the north side of the project.
Our earthworks team have commenced excavation of the borrow pits on the south side, taking advantage of the recent good weather.
Work over the next month?
• Mobilise our small compound to the north side of the project
• Continue excavation borrow pits to prevent importing material to site
• Construct a new embankment
Construction of the main works are planned to be completed in late autumn.
Your Safety……
With our heavy construction plant on site, the working area is extremely hazardous. Our site is securely fenced and signed please do not try to access our construction area unauthorised.
If you require access, please contact our team and they will be happy to escort you safely through the working area.
How to contact us?
If you have any questions about this project, please contact Giles Lord on 07740 394655 or e mail
Giles.lord@kier.co.uk
Depending on your query, Giles will then put you in touch with an appropriate member of the project team.
Eileen