GD29 – Flood Action Plan

This project is Phase 2 of the Somerset Levels and Moors 20 Year Flood Action Plan and consists of a package of measures to reduce the duration, depth and frequency of flooding on the Somerset Levels and Moors. This will safeguard houses, commercial premises, communities and infrastructure and increase business confidence, contributing to the creation of new jobs and new houses.

There are six key elements to the project:

  • Dredging the rivers Parrett and Tone: approx. £9.75m is required for dredging 11km of river channel; benefits estimated at £13.9m over 20 years. GD1 ask is for £2.45m (25% of cost).
  • Sowy – Kings Sedgemoor Drain enhancement: £8.0m is required to reduce damage (estimated at £100m in 2014) by at least 10%. GD1 ask is for £7.85m (98% of cost).
  • Parrett Tidal Barrier: approx. £3.55m is required to reduce the risk of tidal flooding, particularly for Bridgwater. This is the Environment Agency’s preferred strategic option with a BCR of 95:1, based on risk to existing development (around 10k homes). GD1 ask is for £2m (56% of cost).
  • Land Management: £1.31m is required to change land management practices in upper catchments. The GD1 ask is for £550k (42% of cost) as part of a locally administered capital fund tailored to locally determined needs.
  • Upstream reservoir for Taunton: £300k is required to increase upstream flood storage. This is the EA’s and Taunton Deane’s preferred option. It will reduce risk to existing and new development. GD1 ask is for £65k (22% of cost).
  • Ringbanks: these will provide local protection to Northmoor Barrier, Fordgate, Moorland and Chadmead at a total cost of £420k, covering consultation, site investigation and construction. GD1 ask is for £300k (71% of costs).

Outputs:

600 Businesses safeguarded
550 ha agricultural land protected
10,000 homes protected
50 jobs created, 5 safeguarded
320 ha development land unlocked
625 new homes

Growth Deal 1 Funding: £13.05m

Total Funding: £43.94m

Started on site: July 2015
Completion: March 2021

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    David Ralph

    Chief Executive

    David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

    Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

    David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.