TALKS to help dramatically improve drainage on Currymoor are continuing in a positive way, a district councillor says.

Farmers met Environment Minister Richard Benyon and proposals are being discussed and further details are being worked on for a presentation in January.

Gill Slattery, councillor for North Curry and Stoke St Gregory, said she was happy with how the meeting went and she found it ‘refreshing’ that the minister understood farmers’ flooding concerns.

She said: “We are pleased to have the attention of another DEFRA minister, David Heath, as well as senior figures from Natural England and the Environment Agency, looking at Currymoor.

“We look forward to hearing from Mr Benyon soon, when he has had a chance to consider our proposal to appoint a project co-ordinator.”

Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne said it was important to discuss how farmers could be supported and how the threat of future flooding could be reduced.

He added: “The severe flooding on the Somerset Levels has caused terrible damage and on-going problems for farmers, so I was pleased to welcome farmers and councillors for a meeting with the Government Environment Minister in London.”

The floods this summer cost the Environment Agency £400,000 on Currymoor and Phil Brewin, from Somerset Drainage Works Board, said the cost to farmers from just part of the summer on the moor was calculated at about £250,000.