Ian Liddell-Grainger moves to allay Levels flooding fears

Somerset County Council has closed the emergency flood barriers on the A361 between Burrowbridge and East Lyng twice this week after heavy rainfall, with some minor roads becoming impassable. 

The Levels were hit by extensive flooding nine year ago, leading to two councils declaring a major incident as villages were cut off by water.

❗Please be cautious there are likely to be other affected roads.
Confirmed closures:
👉A361 Burrowbridge to East Lyng
👉Both routes into Dulverton - B3222 from Axbridge and from Machine Cross (👇)
👉Muchelney to Langport
👉Cutts Road
👉New Road between West Lyng and North Curry pic.twitter.com/Ej8pljmVYo

— Travel Somerset (@TravelSomerset) January 13, 2023

But Ian Liddell-Grainger, who represents Bridgwater and West Somerset, has allayed fears that the Levels could face a repeat of the “catastrophic” floods.

He says the situation is under control thanks to the investment of millions of pounds on upgrade and improvement works over the last nine years. 

Mr Liddell-Grainger said the Levels have “vastly changed circumstances now” compared to the winter of 2013/14.

Ian Liddell-Grainger MP. (Image: UK Parliament)

“We have had no record rainfall or prolonged, heavy downpours, just sustained, normal rain,” he said.

“But what has made a real difference is the money that has been invested in the last few years in dredging waterways and generally upgrading the drainage systems to make the Levels much more flood-resilient.

“Everything - including the Athelney spillway - is working as it should and the Environment Agency is managing the situation with additional pumping as and when necessary – a far cry from 2014, when it and every other agency were simply overwhelmed.

“I realise families on the Levels will be nervous at the moment and I fully understand why.

“But what we are seeing is no more than the kind of routine flooding that has always been, and will continue to be, a regular occurrence in the area.

“That said, if anyone has any particular concerns about their individual situation or has information they feel should be shared, I would encourage them to contact the Environment Agency without delay.”

Read more: Roads across Somerset Levels CLOSED AGAIN due to flooding

Read more: Paddlers enjoying themselves on the flooded Somerset Levels 

Read more: Another RAIN WARNING for most of Somerset into the weekend