'I won't give up on flooded areas', says minister

As residents remain on high alert due to continued rainfall, the flooding minister says she will not "give up" on helping them.

With many properties on the Somerset Levels close to being flooded, Emma Hardy MP has visited the area to reassure locals the government is investing in further defences.

The Environment Agency has already installed additional pumps at the Northmoor Pumping Station near Bridgwater, with the agency's flood maps showing red warnings in the area.

Hardy said her heart "goes out to everybody who's experienced flooding", adding: "There are no areas in Somerset that I'm ready to give up on or that we're giving up on whatsoever."

Speaking in Langport, Hardy said: "We are putting £75m into flood defences this year in Somerset and we're also looking at the tidal barrier for Bridgwater.

"We're looking at extra money for the internal drainage boards - so all of that money is going in."

The minister said she had met with local MPs and Somerset Council, and planned to meet with a farmer on the issue.

However, James, who lives in Stathe, said while his home was safe for now - the water was threatening his property line.

"It's now just a case of making sure that any ways that water can get in are sealed off, and we're able to pump water away from the doors if we need to," he said.

Sir Ashley Fox, the Conservative MP for Bridgwater, said in a statement that he wanted to see "stronger national support", such as funding for long-term dredging plans and pumping maintenance, as well as "clearer local responsibilties", like the cleaning of gullies.

He added: "Somerset residents have faced repeated and avoidable flooding for far too long. With climate patterns shifting and rainfall intensifying, now is the time for decisive action."

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