Rivers in Somerset are to be dredged as soon as the current high flooding water levels drop, the Prime Minister announced on Wednesday.
David Cameron made the statement during Prime Minister’s Questions, saying “Dredging will start again as soon as it is practical.”
He also said high-volume pumps would be brought in to help tackle the problem alongside those already being operated by the Environment Agency.
The comments were welcomed by Somerset County Council Leader John Osman, who said: “This is just what we wanted to hear from the PM.”
“We have lobbied hard to get national attention, we are in a Major Incident due to the extent and length of time that much of the county is flooded.”
“Now we have the PM behind us, people can start to believe that real action, dredging the rivers, sorting the drainage systems, protecting our communities will really happen. I am delighted to hear this.”
A spokesman for the campaign group FLAG Somerset – Flooding on the Levels Action Group – added: “FLAG thinks this is excellent news and we would like to thank everyone who has backed our campaign as well as the local community for their massive support.”
“We will continue to work with all agencies involved to ensure a better future for the levels.”
Pictured: Burnham’s BARB crews helping the flood relief work in Somerset
