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Environment Agency flattens Somerset beauty spot as part of flood management scheme

Locals fear the destruction of the 250-metre stretch on the banks of the River Tone will put local wildlife at risk and could even lead to a greater risk of flooding

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The River Tone in Somerset before and after it was stripped of trees by the Environment Agency as part of flood management measures. (Photo: Dominic Garnett/PA)
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Environmental campaigners have slammed the decision by the Environment Agency to strip a 250-metre stretch of the River Tone in Somerset of trees as part of flood management measures.

While the Environment Agency claimed the destruction of the trees at the beauty spot near Taunton was “essential” to manage the risk of flooding in the area, experts claim the move has put wildlife in danger and could actually increase the likelihood of floods.

Dr Nick Chappell, an expert in the hydrological processes associated with nature-based solutions at the University of Lancaster, said that “green infrastructure” can be used to mitigate flood risk alongside engineering projects.

“Natural solutions are not magic, you have to do enough, and of course there are co-benefits in terms of water quality, carbon sequestration and biodiversity, but you need to do them on the same scale as traditional infrastructure schemes,” he said.

Local anglers were “heartbroken” after the stretch of the river, which is well known for attracting wildlife such as Kingfishers, was stripped of trees. The banks of the river are now bare earth following the felling of the trees.

Undated handout photo issued by Dominic Garnett of the River Tone in Somerset before it was stripped of trees by the Environment Agency as part of flood management measures. The semi-wild section of river running through Taunton was a favourite spot for anglers and famous for its wildlife, particularly kingfishers. Issue date: Sunday February 6, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ENVIRONMENT RiverTone. Photo credit should read: Dominic Garnett/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
A former beauty spot near Taunton famous for attracting Kingfishers is stripped of trees by the Environment Agency (Photo: Dominic Garnett/PA Wire)

Dominic Garnett, an angling guide and coach, has fished the stretch of the river for 20 years and has been visiting it since childhood.

“It was a semi-wild stretch of river and they have channelised it,” said. “It is absolutely heartbreaking to see the destruction of the places you love – you go there to be with nature and to get away and it’s all just been ripped away. We are just smashing it all up.”

Woodland planting is often touted as a key flood mitigation strategy, but Mr Garnett said representatives of the Environment Agency had told him the trees had been felled “because they make the water back up”.

He added that the trees had been cleared only weeks away from nesting season, with river plants dredged out when some species of fish are starting to spawn.

Undated handout photo issued by Dominic Garnett of the River Tone in Somerset after it was stripped of trees by the Environment Agency as part of flood management measures. The semi-wild section of river running through Taunton was a favourite spot for anglers and famous for its wildlife, particularly kingfishers. Issue date: Sunday February 6, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story ENVIRONMENT RiverTone. Photo credit should read: Dominic Garnett/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
Dominic Garnett on the banks of the River Tone in Somerset before it was stripped of trees by the Environment Agency as part of flood management measures (Photo: Dominic Garnett/PA Wire)

“It makes them vulnerable to predators – fish need places to hide,” he said.

When the complex was originally built a large lake was created, in part, according to Mr Garnett, to “appease” locals angered by the loss of the marshland.

But he says that due to a lack of maintenance, the lake, which could have helped flood control efforts, is now silted up and only two or three inches deep in places.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said: “Essential work to manage flood risk and protect properties in Bathpool and the upstream town of Taunton is ongoing.“We always work to minimise any impact to the environment when carrying out work and have measures in place to compensate, such as new tree planting.”

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