PLANS to prevent a repeat of the catastrophic flooding that hit the Somerset levels and moors last winter have been unveiled by the Environment Agency.

The first draft of the EA’s Trigger Point Project was presented at a Sedgemoor District Council executive meeting on Wednesday.

At the meeting, which was the first time the plans had been presented to an external body, a list of scenarios was set out which would trigger additional anti-flood measures being installed.

EA strategic co-ordination manager Samantha Dawe said the aim of the project is to give the community as well as other organisations a clear idea of what actions will be taken and when.

She said: “We’ve spoken to a lot of people who were affected by the flooding and the sites we have identified are the ones we’ve had the most questions about and most calls about.”

The ten trigger sites are: o Northmoor Pumping Station and Saltmoor Pumping Station – Improvements are taking place so that extra temporary pumps can be brought in at short notice when New Road floods.

o Currymoor Pumping Station - Additional pumps will also be installed at Currymoor, however they will not be able to operate until the river levels drop.

o Westover Pumping Station - Additional temporary pumps will be installed when the lowest roads in the Westover Trading Estate flood.

o Huish Episcopi Pumping Station – Temporary pumps will be installed if Long Load Road floods, however again these will only be able to operate when the River Yeo is below its bank height.

o Long Load Pumping Station – Temporary pumps will be brought in if Sutton Road is flooded.

o Monks Leaze Clyce – Monks Leaze Clyce will be fully opened which will in turn lower the River Parrett levels.

The Clyce was opened fully last year and was effective in reducing water levels but the EA say that they must be careful to make sure there is no risk to people further downstream or prolonged flooding of land.

o Dunball Pumping Station - Additional temporary pumps will be put in at Dunball if Monk Sleaze Clyce will be opened fully.

o Westonzoyland Pumping Station – More temporary pumps will be installed when the lowest road in Middlezoy floods.

o West Sedgemoor Pumping Station - Will consider add temp pumps when lowest roads flood in West Sedgemoor Pumping Station and will be switched on when moor levels are set to continue to rise.

In all instances the triggers will only lead to the installation of additional pumps if rain is forecast for the next three to five days and river levels are expected to continue to rise.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We’re very pleased with what the EA have presented to us and it seems to going in the right direction.

“It was this council that suggested the number of trigger points need to reduced and that they need to be explained to the public.

“We will continue to work with the EA to make sure that the trigger points are relevant to the community.”

The plans will now be taken to FLAG and other community groups in the hope of gaining more feedback and suggestions for any amendments or additions to the trigger points.