Introduction

The Somerset Rivers Authority was launched in January 2015 as a response to the floods of winter 2013-14, which caused misery and devastation to Somerset’s people and communities.

The Somerset Rivers Authority’s purpose is to give Somerset an extra level of flood protection and resilience, as set out in Somerset’s 20 Year Flood Action Plan.

The Somerset Rivers Authority is a partnership. Only in Somerset do so many different bodies work so closely together to tackle flooding problems. Somerset Council is represented on the Somerset Rivers Authority Joint Scrutiny Panel. Also represented are the Axe Brue and the Parrett Internal Drainage Boards.