Working on the River Avill Flood Relief Channel near Dunster close to where it joins the Bristol Channel © Somerset Rivers Authority 2021
The Annual Report also summarises Somerset Rivers Authority’s spending over the year. It shows that just over £3.8million was spent on activities designed to give Somerset greater flood protection and resilience. Of that total, just under £1.7million came from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSWLEP) Growth Deal fund. Nearly three quarters of this HotSWLEP money went towards the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier project, which will reduce flood risks to 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.
A new feature for this year is a piece by Dr Andrew Pledger of Loughborough University about the scientific studies that have accompanied the SRA’s development of water injection dredging techniques along the River Parrett. These studies have attracted international attention.
