A government minister came face to face with angry campaigners concerned about a flood defence scheme near Taunton in 2003.
Residents from North Curry confronted Elliott Morley, then-minister for fisheries, water and nature protection, claiming they were being deliberately flooded so Taunton stays above water.
They confronted Mr Morley as he unveiled a £4.5m scheme built by the Environment Agency.
Newly raised and reinforced flood banks were said to safeguard almost 250 properties along the River Tone, but the dozen protesters said their interests had been sacrificed.
Tom Jeanes, member of the North Curry Flood Group, said at the time: “The building work does a fairly efficient job of protecting Taunton and Bridgwater, but Curry Moor and Hay Moor are being deliberately flooded.
“We’re asking them to do more to help or compensate us.
“We accept it is a flood plain, but the flooding problem is getting worse and water regularly comes into people’s homes.
"Years ago, the river was maintained properly, and there was hardly any problem.
"I presented Mr Morley with a prepared letter but I don't think he'd been very well briefed and he didn’t have many answers."
Mr Jeanes said the previous major floods in the winter of 2000 cost the village about £1m.
Mr Morley unveiled a plaque to mark the opening.
The 850-metre medieval Baltmoor Wall has been strengthened to withstand extreme flooding and the 3.1km Stanmoor Bank has been stabilised and reinforced.
Mr Morley said at the time: "Flood defence is a government priority and I must congratulate the Environment Agency, the contractors, and consultants who worked so hard on this project.
“I understand it has already proved its worth in protecting homes and property during the floods which hit this part of the country so hard over the Christmas and New Year period."
During the work, contractors Costain used almost 20km of steel piles - enough to stretch from Stanmoor Bank to Bridgwater if placed end to end.
Share