LONDON, Feb. 10 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
Floods Minister Emma Hardyhas today (Tuesday 10 February)visited Langport in Somerset to see the impact of flooding on the local community,following one of the wettest starts to the year on record.
The Somerset Levels has been one of the areas most affected in recent weeks, with the Environment Agency installingvasthigh-volumepumpsin Northmoor andSaltmoor, protectinghomes by moving vast amounts of water away from affected areas.
Around16,200 properties have been protected by flood defences so farthis year, but sadly more than300 properties, mostly in Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, have been flooded.
The Minister met with Environment Agency officers on the ground and received a briefing on the flood operations, as well as hearing how teams were supportinglocal residents. As well asoperatingthe pumps, officers have beenclearclearing vegetation, removing obstructions in rivers, anderecting temporary barriers were needed.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said:
I've heard from communities here in Somerset whohave been deeply affected by the impacts the recent heavy rainfall, and I know how devastating flooding can be.
Environment Agency officers have been working around the clock across the country, but especially in Somerset, and I thank them for their efforts during this testing time.
In Somerset, we have already invested£75 million andare continuing to boost flooddefencesin the area - including building the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier to protect 12,800 homes and businesses.
Julie Foley, Director of Flood Risk Strategy at the Environment Agency, said:
We are continuing to see significant rainfall in the southwest and other parts of the UK, and so our teams are taking every step they can to protect people,homesand businesses.
We are operating emergency pumps and flood storage areas to minimise the risk of further flooding, and many thousands of homes and businesses have been protected. But this is little comfort to the those who have been flooded, and we will continue to do all we can to help communities affected.
It's crucial that the public heed warnings from local responders, sign up for flood warnings and make sure they do not to drive through flood water.
This Government inherited flood defences intheir worst condition onrecord andimmediately took steps to repairexisting assets by pumping over £100m in essentialmaintenance.
For the year up to June 2025,more than 24,000 homes and businesses were better protected from floods as 151 new schemes were delivered.
Long term, arecord £10.5 billion to protect a further 900,000 properties by 2036is being invested right across the country,creating thousands of jobs and preventing billions of pounds of economic damage.
This includes funding new schemes in Somerset,including the £249m Bridgwater Tidal Barrier,whichisexpected to protect12,800more homesand businesses.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
