Somerset farmer fears flooding repeat as EA cuts support

A Somerset farmer whose land was devastated in the 2014 floods has issued a stark warning to the government, saying cuts to Environment Agency (EA) river maintenance are “inviting disaster” and risk repeating further flooding crises.

James Winslade, a fifth-generation beef farmer who runs West Yeo Farm, in Moorland, near Bridgwater, says the EA’s decision to stop maintaining dozens of main rivers across the Somerset Levels will leave homes, farms and wildlife vulnerable to serious winter flooding.

“This is complete madness. Has the Environment Agency not learned the lessons from the devastating floods of 2014?” said Mr Winslade.

His 320ha farm was under water for three months during the disaster that resulted in up to £147m in economic losses.

See also: What to expect from an EA inspection on farm

“These moors are man-made – they were built hundreds of years ago and require ongoing maintenance. If you walk away from that, everything collapses.”

The EA plans to shift responsibility for maintaining the riverbanks of certain main rivers on the Somerset Levels to riparian landowners. Mr Winslade condemned the decision as “deeply unfair and unworkable”.

“If I want to do river maintenance, there’s so much red tape involved.

“And after the John Price case on the River Lugg, farmers are terrified to touch the rivers. We’re damned if we do, and flooded if we don’t,” he said.

He also questioned the financial logic of the decision.

“We pay a precept for the EA to do this work – where is that money going now? They’re using it to hire more inspectors to fine farmers instead of maintaining the rivers.”

The EA normally clears the rivers on his moor twice a year, but this year, no work has been done.

“With this year’s prolonged dry spell, vegetation growth is worse than ever. If they’re in a six-month consultation, why have they already stopped doing the work? They’re pulling back before the process is even finished.”

Mr Winslade warned that with climate change causing more extreme weather events, now was not the time to reduce flood prevention efforts.

“We need to step up, not back. Flooding is the biggest threat to farm businesses, homes, towns – everything.”

Saltmoor main drain level has not been cleared © James Winslade

MPs voice concerns

His concerns are echoed by local politicians. Bridgwater Conservative MP Sir Ashley Fox has written to Defra secretary Steve Reed, warning the cuts will undermine flood resilience and breach statutory governance.

He is demanding that EA withdrawal notices to landowners be rescinded and funding restored.

Somerton and Glastonbury Lib Dem MP Sarah Dyke also criticised the EA’s move, calling it “deeply alarming”.

She warned that without ongoing river maintenance, tens of thousands of properties could be at heightened flood risk by 2050.

In response, the EA says that, due to limited funding, it must prioritise flood risk management activities and is undertaking a six-month consultation on its plans.

The agency emphasises that the river maintenance being discontinued falls outside its statutory responsibilities.

Under law, the responsibility for maintaining these watercourses rests with riparian landowners, who are allowed to carry out such work provided it adheres to environmental regulations and guidance.

An EA spokesman said: “We are reducing discretionary vegetation cutting on some specific riverbanks where this work has a low benefit for flood risk.

“We continue to work with farmers to manage flood risk, including through maintaining our flood assets, monitoring water courses and providing flood warning services.”

Are you a farmer or landowner affected by this decision? Email philip.case@markallengroup.com