Advisers blog: Building Flood Resilience

Earlier this year, weeks of relentless rain caused widespread flooding leaving crops damaged and land-based operations severely disrupted. At the end of September, Somerset Council confirmed £50 million funding will be given to local communities to help them build flood resilience as part of a major government-funded programme. The programme includes additional desilting of river channels, extra gully clearance and improvements in pumping capabilities.

We welcomed the news of this additional funding, and the action being taken. However, we know that catchments across Somerset, and the wider south west, can become far more resilient.

We are not short of practical solutions. What is needed is for the government to recognise the vital importance of regular river and watercourse maintenance, provision of adequate funding and empowering local groups to take action where appropriate to do so. Whilst this is not a replacement for government-funded maintenance, by facilitating local groups and riparian owners who want to undertake maintenance work themselves on lots of low-risk rivers it would make a big difference.

Of the 116 stakeholder groups the CLA is involved with across the south west, 21 relate to water, water quality and flooding. Our involvement in these groups allows us to discuss responsive flood management and the need for longer-term investment. This collaboration allows the voice of farmers and landowners to be heard, allows us to shape policy and overall build better flood resilience for the future.

As we approach the winter months when the possibility of flooding increases, although we still have a long way to go to make up the deficit in rainfall from the very dry spring and summer. According to forecasters, a significant El Niño is likely to occur towards the end of 2026, with some forecasts predicting the strongest event on record. In the UK, the Met Office says weather is likely to be affected, with the growing chance that autumn and early winter will be wet and stormy. With this in mind, many members will be thinking of improving winter readiness.

Alongside our Guidance Note GN31-22 Winter Readiness – Flooding, which can be downloaded from the CLA website, we also have an explainer about riparian landowner responsibilities which clarify landowner responsibilities for riparian and asset maintenance.

If you have any concerns or issues relating to flooding that you would like us to raise in any of the meetings we attend, please let us know.