Somerset to receive £50m flood protection boost after one of wettest starts to year on record
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Somerset is set to receive £50 million in government funding to help protect homes, farms and businesses from future flooding following what ministers described as an exceptionally challenging start to 2026.
The investment, announced on Tuesday 9th June, comes after the county experienced its second wettest January on record, with more than double the average monthly rainfall. Flooding continued into February, prompting Somerset Council to declare a major incident as communities across the county faced prolonged disruption.
Despite the scale of the flooding, existing flood defences, deployed pumps and Environment Agency teams working around the clock helped protect 2,860 properties from being inundated.
The new funding package was announced by Floods Minister Emma Hardy during the Flood and Coast Conference and is intended to strengthen Somerset’s resilience to future extreme weather events.
The £50 million investment will fund a range of measures including improved water management infrastructure, enhanced flood defence schemes, nature-based solutions and better maintenance of watercourses. Ministers say the work will help reduce pressure on emergency responders while providing greater protection for local communities.
The announcement is particularly significant for Somerset’s agricultural sector. As one of England’s most important farming counties, repeated flooding poses a serious threat to rural businesses and livelihoods. Government officials say helping farms become more resilient to extreme weather will not only support local communities but could also help reduce the wider impact of flooding on food production and supply chains.
Floods Minister Emma Hardy said she had witnessed the impact of the flooding first-hand during a visit to Somerset earlier this year.
“Somerset has faced the full force of extreme weather this year, which I saw when I visited earlier this year,” she said.
“The communities here deserve more than a temporary fix which is why this government is investing.
“This £50 million funding in the protection of homes, farms and livelihoods in Somerset for years to come.”
Somerset Council Leader Bill Revans welcomed the announcement and said the funding would help the county adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
“We’d like to thank the Minister for visiting Somerset during the major incident and meeting with the Council, our partners and residents,” he said.
“We are pleased the Government has listened to our calls for urgent action and welcome this vital investment into the future of Somerset.
“This winter has shown how Somerset’s unique environment is particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and it is clear we must help our communities to adapt and become more resilient.
“We will work closely with partners, including the Environment Agency, Somerset Rivers Authority, Internal Drainage Boards, Natural England and, most importantly, our local communities, to ensure these funds are invested wisely to provide lasting benefits for years to come.”
The investment forms part of the Government’s wider £10.5 billion flood resilience programme, which ministers describe as the largest ever flood protection investment programme in England. Running until 2036, the scheme aims to deliver new flood defences and restore existing infrastructure in areas most at risk from flooding.
The Government also announced in April that almost 62,000 homes and businesses across England have received improved flood protection over the past two years.
In Somerset, new and upgraded flood defence schemes introduced during the same period have helped better protect 4,916 properties while also safeguarding valuable agricultural land and supporting communities regularly affected by flooding.
With climate experts warning that extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent, local leaders say the latest funding represents an important step towards ensuring Somerset is better prepared for future challenges.
( Photos: Pixabay Library 📸 )