WORK started this week on a scheme to allow water to pass under the road instead of causing flooding on the Somerset Levels.

Phase 2 of a major scheme led by Somerset County Council will see four new culverts installed under the A372 at Beer Wall, to the east of Langacre Rhyne, which runs alongside the River Sowy.

The stretch of the A372 was closed for several weeks early last year due to flooding and then to accommodate emergency pumping.

The scheme is being carried out as part of the multi-agency Flood Action Plan, the work of which is now overseen by the recently established Somerset Rivers Authority.

As well as keeping the A372 open, the three-stage Beer Wall scheme is designed to reduce flood risk in the Sowy and King’s Sedgemoor Drain river systems.

Phase 1, which was completed before Christmas, involved raising a section of the A372, cutting a section through the road which will accommodate two of the culverts, and installing a temporary bridge to keep the road open through the winter.

Phase 2, starting on Tuesday, sees the cutting of a second section through the road, installing four culverts and building a permanent road over the top of them.

Phase 3, to be carried out by the Environment Agency with work starting this summer, will divert the Langacre Rhyne and part of the River Sowy through the new culverts with the aim of increasing the capacity of the system.