Environment Agency statement on dredging

We continue to dredge downstream on both sides of the River Parrett. We have so far removed about 13,050m³ of silt over a 445 metre length. Land and Water Services continue to work long days from Monday to Friday and we are looking at the possibility of some weekend working as a further contingency.

We held flood surgeries in North Newton and Kingsbury Episcopi for those residents living in the Northmoor, Chadmead, Thorney and Newton areas. You will have seen us cutting the grass and vegetation around the river to prepare for dredging.

We will start dredging with a long arm excavator on the River Tone this week. We will start on the left bank between Cuts Road and Creeds Farm. Dredging will continue downstream of Moorland House Farm on both banks of the River Parrett.

Over the next couple of weeks:

Dredging will continue downstream of Moorland House Farm on both banks of the River Parrett. We will have to work around a section of mature trees to minimise potential damage.

We will be moving into our main compound at Gillards in Burrowbridge.

We will be preparing to start work on the River Tone by the end of May.

We are confident that the work will be completed in the time-frame originally outlined barring any adverse weather. The health and safety of the people doing the work is of paramount importance to us and there welfare and wellbeing must always be taken into consideration.