£20m flooding protection plan for Somerset Levels

A £20m package to protect the Somerset Levels from flooding is a “big step forward”, the head of the county council has said.

John Osman welcomed the move from ministers, which he said was “bringing hope to our flood-hit communities”.

Read: PM urged to back £100m flooding protection plan

The Environment Secretary has announced a £20.5m package to help protect the Somerset Levels from flooding.

Owen Paterson said the 'key thing' for local people was that the Rivers Tone and Parrett would now be dredged as soon as possible.

Read: PM urged to back £100m flood protection plan

The Prime Minister is being urged to back a £100 million package to protect the Somerset Levels from more devastating floods.

Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, who will deliver the 20-year plan to Downing Street later, said he was confident the Government would support the measures.

"The Prime Minister made it very clear that money would be no object on this," he sad.

"If we are going to secure the Levels for the future we are going to have to do this.

"We are one of the biggest economies in the world. We can afford it.

"The Prime Minister is fully aware of the cost of putting the Levels back and securing it."

An action plan from residents calls for a new tidal barrier at Bridgwater, raising the level of key roads and extensive dredging of rivers.