£50m to help Somerset communities and farmers withstand future flooding
Officials said the money would go to Somerset Council to help with a range of flood protection measures
The Government has announced a £50 million investment to protect Somerset residents, farmers and businesses from the growing threat of flooding.
Officials said the money would go to Somerset Council to help with a range of flood protection measures including defence schemes, nature-based solutions, improved water infrastructure and better maintenance of waterways.
The move comes after the county experienced its second wettest January on record, with more than double the average rainfall battering the region, and Somerset Council was forced to declare a a major incident as flooding continued into February.
The money will go to reduce the burden on emergency responders and help communities better withstand the risk of future flooding, which is increasing as a result of climate change.
It also aims to help farmers withstand extreme weather, in one of the most important agricultural counties in England, to protect rural livelihoods and prevent flooding causing rising food costs, officials said.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: “Somerset has faced the full force of extreme weather this year, which I saw when I visited.
“The communities here deserve more than a temporary fix which is why this Government is investing.”
She said the £50 million was an investment in the protection of homes, farms and livelihoods in Somerset “for years to come”.
Bill Revans, leader of Somerset Council, said: “We’d like to thank the minister for visiting Somerset during the major incident and meeting with the council, our partners and residents.
“We are pleased the Government has listened to our calls for urgent action and welcome this vital investment into the future of Somerset.
“This winter has shown how Somerset’s unique environment is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and it is clear we must help our communities to adapt and become more resilient.”