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BBC Points West Owen Paterson visits Somerset Levels but refuses to speak to local people

1,651 views · Published 27 January 2014 · 7:50 · Indexed 12 November 2026

Channel: Public Enquiry · 2014 · News & Politics

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Residents criticise minister for leaving them in 'third world' squalor over Somerset flooding - By Western Morning News  |  Posted: January 27, 2014
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Environment-minister-reveals-action-plan-Somerset/story-20506092-detail/story.html
Environment Secretary Owen Paterson was criticised by furious residents during a visit to the flood-hit Somerset Levels today.
Locals from the area said they were living in "third world" conditions -- with "overflowing" septic tanks and water in their homes.
Mr Paterson promised that a new plan to deal with flooding in the region would be drawn up within six weeks, "almost certainly" involving a project to clear the Parrett and Tone rivers.
He acknowledged national guidelines on dredging were not appropriate for the Somerset Levels, around 100 square miles of which are below sea level.
His announcement was made during a press conference held only with the BBC, ITV and Sky News -- which local reporters and residents were refused entry to.
Bryony Sadler, of Flooding on the Somerset Levels Action Group (FLAG), branded Mr Paterson's 30 minute visit a "publicity stunt".
"It was a waste of taxpayers' money," the hairdresser said. "He hasn't told the local community what's going on.
"We are here, we have lived like this -- like a third world country -- for three weeks. We have just pushed and pushed and pushed.
"It is all just a great show for the cameras, isn't it? No-one is listening to what we want to say. It is very depressing, it is very negative."
During the visit, Mr Paterson spoke to local politicians and workers at the Northmoor Pumping Site, near Bridgwater, in Somerset, before the press conference.
Angry farmers and locals were asked not to approach the minister as he left the site.
"We needed a glimmer of hope and he has just driven off," Mrs Sadler added.
In the press conference, Mr Paterson acknowledged there was legitimate anger felt among politicians, farmers and residents on the Somerset Levels, who claim the lack of dredging of local rivers by the Environment Agency has exacerbated the problems they have faced.
"They are quite right to be angry," Mr Paterson told Sky News.
"It's absolutely legitimate and that's how our political system works and that's why the two local MPs have brought this to my attention, that's why I convened the meeting of the experts last night, that's why I led the meeting this morning with the local councils and that's why I hope we will have a very clear action plan presented to me in six weeks' time so that I can make a categoric decision once and for all.
"But then long term look to see how, with partnership funding, local agencies such as the internal drainage boards, the county council, the four district councils can work together -- and with the NGOs, people like the RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts, who play a real role in this -- to see how we can hold water back further up in the hills, how we can do more with sustainable urban drainage systems (Suds), get more water soaked into the ground before it gets into the river systems and also long-term planting."
Another option being considered was a sluice near Bridgwater to keep the sea tides out of the river network on the Levels.
"All that together is a long-term serious plan which I hope will give us satisfactory results here over the next 20 years," Mr Paterson said.
The Environment Agency was criticised by Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddel-Grainger over the lack of dredging on the river system.
He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "Once it's dredged we can then maintain it but the Environment Agency has to stop this mucking around and get on with it."
Speaking at Northmoor Pumping Station, Councillor Julian Taylor, of Sedgemoor District Council, called the lack of dredging a "self-fulfilling prophesy".
"We've been having a lot of concern for at least 20 years saying the river should be dredged and put back to its original condition," Cllr Taylor said.
"We've had conspicuous neglect for 20 years where they have not maintained the rivers properly. If you do not maintain the rivers properly, you'll get water more quickly off the moors.
"It's a self-fulfilling prophesy. We are asking the minister to invest now for the future so that this doesn't happen again."
Local resident Sue Crocker, of nearby Fordgate, said dredging was not the complete solution but a vital part of it.
"The term third world country comes to mind," Mrs Crocker said. "We have one portaloo, we have no septic tanks or overflowing, there is a lot of sewerage running around the roads and it's like Chinese torture.
"Homes have been flooded and we're frustrated and we feel abandoned. We're human beings and this is the 21st century and we're not feeling like we're part of it anymore.

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