REPAIRS are to be carried out to a culvert in Watchet where erosion over the years has threatened its collapse with a risk of flooding to nearby homes. Contractors Insituform Technologies Ltd, of Bristol, are due to start work on Wednesday and are expected to take about three weeks to complete the job. They will be working on Saturdays, but not on Sundays. The culvert, owned by West Somerset District Council, is near Market Street car park and carries the Washford River under the car park area and out to sea. More than 20 nearby homes could be threatened by floodwaters should the culvert collapse, but the repairs are intended to make it good for 50 years. The beach will be reached via the harbour slipway and arrangements have been made for a fenced-off area of the Mineral Yard to be used for parking and storage purposes. Watchet Town Council and Watchet Sea Scouts have both been consulted about the project. District Cllr Ann Foxhuntley, who holds the environment portfolio, said: "This is essential repair work which we need to carry out now - at a time of year when the water flow is at its lowest level." The cost of up to £48,000 is being funded by the district council, although around two-thirds of the expense may be recovered from Defra. For further information email [email protected]">[email protected] or phone 01643 703704.