Flood Alleviation Scheme for Seavington St. Michael
Several articles from the Seavington News give the background to this scheme.
The Seavington News - February 95
FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARISH COUNCIL - FLOODING
At last your Parish Council have received the report on the Flood Alleviation Scheme for Seavington St Michael prepared by Consulting Engineers for South Somerset District Council. We have studied the report in great detail at a special meeting and have responded with our comments. We consider the proposals are generally satisfactory, but we have raised a number of questions and also consider some additional pipework and ditches will be required in the David’s Lane area.
At the next Parish Meeting on the 21st of February, representatives from the District Council and the Consulting Engineers hope to be present to answer our comments and discuss the small additional length of pipework which we believe can be contained within the budget contingencies. The total scheme covers new surface water pipework from Upton Lane to around the East side of Winchester Cottages, Water Street.
If you wish to see the report and plans together with our reply before the next Parish Meeting please contact the Parish Clerk, Mrs Barbara Meetens on 240615 or myself on 242023. Please come to the Parish Meeting on the 21st of February if you have any further questions to raise. As time will be very limited I must ask you to come prepared to speak briefly on the scheme and try to avoid going over again the old backlog of events which are so well known to us.
Just as the flood report arrived we have experienced the wettest January for fifty years resulting in flooding on three days at David’s Lane, Main Road at School Lane, Winchester Cottages, etc.
May I firstly thank Mr Paul Davis our Area Highway Supervisor for the County Council in dealing so efficiently with warning signs, sandbags and clearing the resulting bank slippages, clearing of blocked drains, his work involved him in very long hours seven days a week covering a much wider area than just Seavington.
Secondly, as an example to drivers going through the flooded main roads may I thank the Safeway Coach School Bus Drivers for slowing down and driving in such a courteous manner. The same cannot be said of many others who created great bow waves further endangering Swan Thatch where the water was already within a few millimeters of the floor and of course soaking the County Highway Staff, your Parish Councillor Nigel England and myself.
At the other end of the village at West Street, Townsend we are in correspondence with the landowners, the County Highways in respect of large quantities of silt and mud brought onto the highways with the flood water.
We hope to have some news to report by the next meeting and trusting that the remainder of the winter does not break any further records here or in Europe.
Laurie Uncles
The Seavington News - April, 95
FLOODING
Mr Jacobs expressed concern regarding the faster rate of run-off that could affect his land. He suggested that some enlargement of the pipework may be required at crossings as far as the Roman Road where the stream then flows into Lopen Brook.
Mr Phillips was concerned that the size of the proposed pipe around Winchester Cottages would not be adequate to cope with the flow from the increased size of pipes further upstream. Mr Swindale explained that this pipe was additional to the existing one and would only come into operation to cope with overflow conditions.
Brigadier Fife asked about the pipe culvert crossing the footpath behind his. property. Mr Swindale thought that any flooding here would be of short duration but the possibility of removing a pipe or enlarging the pipe to improve the flow would be considered.
Mr Wyatt noted that although Davids Lane and Upton Lane were identified as sources of water flow, no mention was made of flow from Gummers Castle and the old garage. Mr Swindale was able to assure Mr Wyatt that these had been taken into account in their calculations.
Mr England queried the position if landowners whose land was involved was unco-operative. Mr Meecham stated that there are powers under the Land Drainage Act which could be used should the need arise.
Mr Uncles extended thanks to Messrs. Meecham and Swindale for their presentation of report. He also thanked those parishioners present for their interest and concern, and in particular, Mr Wyatt for allowing the temporary 300mm pipe on his land. This greatly helped to protect the properties on the west side of School Lane during the recent spate of flooding.
Following the departure of the visitors the normal business of the Parish Council proceeded.
District Councillor’s Report: Matters reported included a recent Traffic Fumes Survey, dualling of the Ilminster Bypass and Miss Goldie advised the Council that she was not seeking re-election and this would be her last Seavington’s Parish Council meeting. She was thanked by the Chairman, on behalf of the Parish Council for her work during her term of office.
Maffers Arising included the following: West Street & Scotts Hill Flooding, Upton Lane - Footpath CH23/2, Tree Planting - Upton Lane Agricultural Buildings, Parish Paths Partnership and National Rivers Authority Surveys.
Planning
950053 Repairs to west wall & lintel of Barn at the Beeches. The Parish Council support this Listed Building Application.
950038 Barn Conversion to House & Car Port, West Street, Seavington St Mary
Page last updated: 24 Jan 2012