Our flood risk high on big climate change map

MORE homes, schools and doctors surgeries are vulnerable to flooding in North Somerset than any other county in the South West.

The Environment Agency claims one in three properties in the authority could go under water as the climate change increases coastal erosion and river rises.

A map published by the agency highlights Weston General Hospital, 13 schools and the M5 junction 21 as among those at risk of flooding.

Also illustrated is a corridor between Milton Road and the A370 and villages such as St Georges, Wick St Lawrence, Congresbury and Kewstoke.

The shocking report comes accompanied with a call from the agency for spending on flooding defences in the South West to rise to £1billion by 2035. £377m has been spent so far since 2002, including the £29m seafront defences in Weston.

But North Somerset Council deputy leader councillor Elfan Ap Rees said no further flood management spending was planned after the work.

The former tourism chief pinpointed the low lands from Sand Bay to Clevedon as an area he was concerned about.

He said: "This obviously gives us some concern for the future.

"If severe flooding occurred it would be impossible for the local authority to handle without the help from outside agencies.

"The council needs to ask for more money from the Government and set up agreements with future developments for help with flood defences.

"This is something the local authority cannot simply afford on its own."

from the Weston Mercury (UK)