WORK to give better protection to roughly 200 homes at risk of flood

in Cannington will begin in early April.

The Environment Agency has hired contractor Team Van Oord to build the flood alleviation scheme, with initial surveys and pre-construction work already happening.

The project is expected to be completed within 12 months.

The new flood alleviation channel will pass under the A39, with work planned to keep traffic disruption minimal. 

To do this, it is proposed to build a temporary bridge to keep traffic flowing while excavation work takes place underneath. The proposal will need to be approved by Somerset County Council.

Completion of the scheme will mean the standard of flood protection is greatly improved for homes and businesses in the village to at least a one in 100-year standard. This means only a one per cent chance of flood happening in any year.

A new flood alleviation channel, with an increased capacity south of the A39, would be the best option to significantly reduce the risk of flooding to around 200 properties in Cannington and to the A39.

The new flood relief channel will cross land owned by a number of different people who have been involved in early planning discussions. 

The landowners, Cannington Parish Council and other local organisations will be consulted to ensure that the project runs smoothly and that the community is kept up to date as the project progresses.  

The village itself has a long history of flooding from the Cannington Brook. In November 2012, more than 40 properties were flooded twice within a matter of days.

In 1984, a small flood alleviation channel was built to reduce flows through the centre of the village.

However, investigations have shown that the channel will not be sufficient to deal with current and future flood flows.