THE Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) is funding works to slow the flow of water from the Quantock Hills to the Levels.

The project hopes to prevent another incident such as when 1,200 tonnes of soil and gravel washed down into Somerset blocking roads and streams recently. Incidents that took place in West Bagborough, Aisholt Common and Great Wood took weeks to clear in May 2016.

Now, 15 woody dams are being created along four gullies and sections of silver birch trunk laid down in gullies, to hold back water and debris on Aisholt Common.

Silver birch branches are used as they are an invasive species encroaching upon an open heathland Site of Special Scientific Interest The joint project is in partnership between Quantock Hills AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group SW (FWAG SW) and Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).

The SRA is using Growth Deal money from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Sarah Diacono, SRA senior manager, said: “We’ve now approved more than 90 applications for natural flood management schemes in the upper and mid catchments of the River Parrett and the River Tone, but this is the first time we’ve funded work on top of the Quantocks.

“The more of these schemes we have, the more we can help to reduce flood risks, so it’s excellent to keep spreading the net.”

The Aisholt Common work near Will’s Neck and Middle Hill is being carried out by Quantock Hills rangers Andy Stevenson and Owen Jones, with volunteers Don Hobson of Lydeard St Lawrence and Chris Pleeth of Kingston St Mary.

Roy Hayes, a Hills to Levels project adviser with FWAG SW, said: “A lot of natural flood management works have been done in places that it’s difficult for members of the public to see, but as these woody debris dams and contour-weaves are on Quantocks common land and close to the Samaritans Way South West, we’re hoping they’ll serve as more visible demonstrations of what can be done to slow down the flow.”