The Environment Agency will soon be replacing several debris screens on the River Somer flood relief tunnel in Midsomer Norton.

This will form part of a rolling programme of assessments and improvement to debris screens the agency maintains across the country.

The work, which will get underway this summer, will include the replacement of three screens which is expected to take two to three months to complete.

The Environment Agency says the standard of protection provided by the flood defence screens will not be compromised during the upgrade period.

Contractor Kier Group will complete the work on behalf of the Environment Agency. Upgrading the existing screens will help reduce flood risk and make it safer for Environment Agency operatives to maintain them.

Debris screens are usually found on the entry to a culvert, which is a tunnel carrying water underneath properties and infrastructure, like roads. The screens are in place to prevent large material from entering the culvert structure where it could cause a blockage that would be very difficult to clear.

Midsomer Norton’s existing flood defence scheme was completed between 1975 and 1980, where it has reduced the chances of flooding to properties at risk in the town to just one percent, according to the Environment Agency.

The scheme comprises of a 1.1km long tunnel which diverts the River Somer away from the town centre in flood conditions.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Our priority is protecting the people of Midsomer Norton from flooding.

“Essential works to the Midsomer Norton Flood Relief Tunnel will help reduce flood risk and make it safer for our officers to maintain the sites.

“The tunnel will continue to operate effectively during these works.”

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