EXTRA flood protection work along 3km of the River Parrett begins at the end of November, with two new contracts for dredging being funded by Somerset Rivers Authority.

One contract for 2.2km of maintenance dredging upstream of Northmoor pumping station has been awarded by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board, on behalf of the SRA, to WM Longreach.

Another contract - for 750m of new dredging downstream of Northmoor pumping station - is expected to be awarded by the Environment Agency, on behalf of the SRA, to Galliford Try, Black & Veatch (GBV) and Land & Water by the end of this week [November 27].

The work follows the 8km dredge of the Parrett and Tone in 2014 that was identified as producing the biggest flood reduction risk on the Somerset Levels & Moors.

The two new contracts are designed to produce even greater benefits, particularly when combined with a wide range of other improvements, such as the Environment Agency’s £2.5million investment in temporary pumps and pumping facilities.

Hydraulic modelling has shown that the 8km dredge – combined with extra pumping power – would significantly cut the risk of flooding to more than 9 out of 10 properties in Northmoor and Saltmoor, reduce closure of the A361, and clear the Moors of water more quickly.

John Osman, chair of the Somerset Rivers Authority, said: “Before and after the flooding crisis, residents made it clear that they wanted Somerset’s rivers dredged.

“We are proud to carry on the dredging works, which, if we receive significant rainfall again, will help allow the water to make its way through the water system quicker, avoid any hold-ups and stop land and homes from flooding.

“We are also going to investigate more cost-effective dredging techniques and sites before deciding on a dredging programme going beyond this financial year, which ends in March 2016.”

The Parrett IDB will undertake the maintenance dredging for the SRA, using contractors WM Longreach to target areas where the greatest build-up of silt has occurred since last year’s 8km dredge.

Work is scheduled to begin at the end of November and take about eight weeks, not including a break for Christmas and the New Year.

WM Longreach will be based at Westonzoyland Pumping Station and are expected to start mobilising there from today, November 25.

New dredging is due to begin in February 2016.

This more complex job is being designed and delivered with GBV and Land & Water, who carried out the 8km dredge in 2014.

150m will be dredged by a bankside excavator, with Huntworth Lane being closed to allow material to be removed safely.

Access problems mean the rest of the dredging will be done using a pontoon-mounted excavator floating on the river.

This stretch of the Parrett downstream of Northmoor pumping station has been chosen because it is top of a list of 10 priority sites for new dredging.

In combination with the previous 8km dredge and additional pumping, work could cut peak flood levels by between 50-80mm in Northmoor and reduce the duration of a flood like that of 2014 by three to five days.