Somerset Levels flooding e-petition reaches 1,700 signatures (From Somerset County Gazette)

Somerset Levels flooding e-petition reaches 1,700 signatures

4:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Daniel Milligan

COMMUNITES on the Somerset Levels are stepping up their fight to the Government to tackle flooding.

Residents, farmers and business owners who have been directly affected by the deluge over the last few months have been meeting with the Environment Agency to voice their frustration.

Now, they have set up an e-petition which has already been signed by more than 1,700 people to try and get dredging back in force on the rivers Parrett and Tone.

During a Commons debate on the future of the Environment Agency at the end of last month, Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger told MPs the people of Somerset had lost faith in the organisation which should be their protector.

He called for money for river dredging and pump upgrades, and he invited the Secretary of State to come to Somerset to meet the victims for himself.

Langport resident and editor of the Langport Leveller, Andrew Lee, said: “There is to be no dredging this year or, based on current budgets, at any time over the next five years.

“I believe the only way we can change the way the EA look at things is to get to the politicians and show them the groundswell of public opinion. Please keep signing and spread the word.”

To place your signature on the petition, click here