FLOOD defence schemes in the Culm Valley and West Somerset are to be given a tranche of Government money to help bring them about.

They are among about 40 flood schemes across the Environment Agency’s Wessex region which will receive fresh Government funding this year.

The Government is allocating more than £110 million to hep protect homes and businesses across Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, boosting their local economies and creating jobs.

Among them is a scheme to improve defences against river flooding in Exebridge, an area which has suffered several devastating inundations in the past few years when the Rivers Exe and Barle overtopped their banks during heavy rainfall periods.

The Environment Agency-led project will receive a grant toward the work of £632,000 in the 2025-26 financial year.

The Connecting the Culm project, which seeks to prevent flooding downstream in communities such as Uffculme and Culmstock by retaining and slowing water upstream, is also to benefit.

The project, led by Devon County Council, will receive £150,000.

And £55,000 will be put toward Environment Agency work to strengthen river flood defences in Bampton, home of Tiverton and Minehead constituency MP Rachel Gilmour.

One of the major projects which is being backed is the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, which will receive £47.2 million to help it become operational by 2027 to better protect 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses in the town and nearby communities from tidal flooding.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “With this investment, the construction of schemes can now be kick-started or progress closer to completion.”

The spokesperson said inevitably, many schemes in the agency’s flood investment programme pipeline could not yet be funded.

They said in such cases the agency would continue to work with councils and flood groups to ensure the public was prepared and the flood risk for residents and businesses was reduced.

The funding is part of the Government’s promise to deliver on its ‘Plan for Change’ which has seen it commit to invest a record £2.65 billion over two years for the construction of new flood schemes and the repair and maintenance of existing ones.

Environment Agency executive director Caroline Douglass said: “Protecting communities from the devastating impact of flooding is our priority.

“The delivery of the schemes in Wessex will be welcome news for homeowners and businesses who have experienced flooding in the past and may face more extreme weather as our climate continues to change.

“Our focus is now on working with local councils and regional flood and coastal committees to deliver these schemes on time, ensuring as many properties as possible are protected.”

Floods Minister Emma Hardy said: “I know from first hand experience the devastating impacts that flooding can cause.

“The role of Government is to protect its citizens.

“However, we inherited flood defences in their worst condition on record.

“Through our ‘Plan for Change’, we are supporting around 40 schemes in Wessex, ensuring residents have the long-term protection they need, while boosting local growth and creating new jobs.”