Somerset Rivers Authority: SRA Annual Report 2024-25

I’m pleased to introduce the tenth SRA annual report, for 2024-25. The report can be downloaded below in a choice of two versions, illustrated or text only. Alternatively, you can read the whole report online at SRA Annual Report 2024-25 – Somerset Rivers Authority.

In the report, you will find details of dozens of SRA-funded activities across Somerset between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, all done to reduce the risks and impacts of flooding. At the SRA, we fund extra flood-related work so that our partners (and others) can do more for Somerset than they would otherwise be able to.

It’s just over 10 years since the SRA was launched as a partnership. You will find in this year’s annual report much continuity between SRA schemes then and now – for example, dredging, flood defence improvements, and river modelling – but there are also some changes of emphasis – for example, as regards dealing with water as close as possible to where it lands, climate change, and numerous community initiatives. Among those initiatives is the SRA’s new Community Flood Action Fund. The first seven recipients of grants from this fund were all parish councils, and we know that more local applications are on the way.

It has been very heartening to see people’s responses to initiatives such as this. A lot can be achieved through working together, as I trust that this annual report will show. Please get in touch with us at sra@somerset.gov.uk if you have any comments or questions.

– Cllr Mike Stanton, Chair of Somerset Rivers Authority

Somerset Rivers Authority Annual Report 2024-25 illustrated PDFDownload
Somerset Rivers Authority Annual Report 2024-25 TEXT ONLY PDFDownload

Recycling and rubbish collections to start early for Glastonbury Festival traffic

Somerset Council’s recycling and rubbish collection crews in the east of the county will be starting an hour earlier, from 6am, in the lead up to Glastonbury Festival. The change comes to help teams to reach everyone while extra traffic is on Somerset’s road network due to the festival.

From Tuesday 24 June to Friday 27 June, residents in the former Mendip area of Somerset are asked to put their bins, boxes and bags out the night before they are due to be collected, or by 6am at the latest.

The change in schedule should help to limit any disruption to recycling, rubbish or garden waste collections.

Road users are reminded that the A361 between Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet will be extremely busy between Monday 23 and Monday 30 June. If you are not a resident or business in the immediate area please plan ahead.

Somerset’s waste and recycling collection crews make more than 350,000 collections a week. For more information about what happens to the recycling they collect, check the Somerset Recycling Tracker on the Somerset Council website.

Residents can report a missed waste collection online.

For Glastonbury Festival travel updates on key routes to and from the festival follow @travelsomerset on X and Facebook.

Alert: Garage Burglary

A garage was burgled during the early hours of the 19th on High Street, West Lydford. The owner of the garage was awoken at approximately 4:30am and went outside to discover their garage had been broken into. Offender/s had cut through deadbolts and a padlock securing the entry, where inside various items of machinery were stolen, these include a Yellow Stiga ‘ride on’ mower, Stiga push mower, hedge trimmer on a pole, hand sanding tool, 5l plastic fuel can, and decorating equipment.

A neighbour also had a Green Viking ‘ride on’ mower stolen from outside their property. The offenders have opened a gate, walked up the driveway, and wheeled the machine away.

Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5225170805 stating NHW. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for your support.

secure-your-garageDownload

Information on keeping you and your home safe can be found on the Neighbourhood Watch page.

The Return of The Fosseway Entertainers

After a hiatus of a couple of years, the Fosseway Entertainers – Lydford’s amateur dramatics group – will be returning to the stage this December with an action-packed ‘whodunnit ?’

If you would like to take part in this production, on the stage or behind the scenes, or just find out more about the group and what taking part might involve, please drop us a line at: frampjim@gmail.com

Alert: Appeal to trace van driver after valuable stolen items returned to owners

Valuable stolen property has been recovered by officers after a pursuit near Street and into Somerton in the early hours of Thursday 29 May.

Chainsaws, tools, and generators have now been returned to their rightful owners after they were seized from a white Peugeot Boxer van which was towing a trailer.
PC Howard first noticed the registration number on the van did not match the one on the trailer and fearing it may have been stolen, assistance was then called upon.

Some of the items recovered from the van

PC Carter, a trained pursuit driver on the outskirts of Street, caught up with the van which then came to a stop. The offender subsequently reversed and rammed the van into the officer’s marked vehicle causing front end damage. The officer was fortunately able to continue the pursuit around Street.

The white van hit a wall before the driver ran off

The driver travelled towards Somerton and narrowly avoided a collision with two traffic cars making their way to assist. It was then pursued into Somerton by PC Carter and the traffic units where the occupant then crashed into a wall and fled from the vehicle and, unfortunately, made off into the darkness. Enquiries to identify the driver continue.

Damage caused to the front of a police car after it was rammed

“The trailer attached to the van was stolen and in the back of the van there was stolen property of a high value which included chainsaws, generators and tools. Both victims have been re-united with their stolen items within hours and were very grateful.”

saID PC HOWARD

Anybody who has any information on the identity of the driver, his potential whereabouts, or any dashcam footage are asked to call us.

Information on keeping you and your home safe can be found on the Neighbourhood Watch page.

Alert: Appeal after life-threatening injury collision on B3151 near Glastonbury

We are issuing an appeal for witnesses and any dashcam footage following a serious collision involving a pedestrian and a motorcycle on the B3151 Meare Road, near Glastonbury, at around 9.58am on Thursday 29 May.

The pedestrian got out of a stationary green and yellow John Deere tractor which was towing a trailer before being struck by a green Kawasaki ZX Ninja which was travelling towards Glastonbury.

The pedestrian and motorcyclist have both suffered serious injuries and remain in a life-threatening condition this morning. Their next of kin have been informed.

The road was closed while an investigation at the scene was carried out and the road reopened at around 8.20pm.

We are particularly keen to hear from any witnesses or motorists who have dashcam footage showing the collision or the vehicles involved prior to the collision.

If you can help, please call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5225149275, or complete our online appeals form.

Temporary Road Closure – Common Lane, Keinton Mandeville

Reference: ttro836204S   

Please be aware that we have received notification of a temporary road closure at Common Lane, Keinton Mandeville which will commence on 26th June 2025 and last for 1 night (19:00 – 06:00). 

These works are to enable Wessex Water to carry out interim to permanent reinstatement works. 

The contractor has indicated that access for Emergency Services through the site is permitted on this occasion.

For any further information about this closure please contact Wessex Water on 0345 600 4600, quoting reference: ttro836204S.

A map of the affected area (in red), together with the recommended diversion route (in purple/blue) is shown here, along with the link to One.Network, and the link for Notice 2 can be found here.

Please note that should you require to view a closure which is more than two weeks ahead, you will need to register for free with www.One.Network

Alert: Burglary

A property, currently under refurbishment, was burgled in Westhay, Glastonbury, between the 26th and the 29th. The offender/s forced entry by breaking a padlock securing a 5-bar gate, opened Harris fencing, and then kicked in several doors. Once inside a quantity of power tools and scaffolding was stolen.

Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on 101 quoting reference number: 5225149418 stating NHW. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thank you for your support.

Information on keeping you and your home safe can be found on the Neighbourhood Watch page.