Reservoir to undergo flood prevention work

Up to £991,000 will be spent on the major scheme, which includes building a low wall along one section of the reservoir to reduce the risk of it failing

Nearly £1m is to be spent to strengthen a reservoir to protect local communities from flooding.

Up to £991,000 will be spent on the major scheme at Chard Reservoir, which includes building a low wall along one section of the reservoir to reduce the risk of it failing.

Work is expected to get under way in the run-up to Christmas and accelerate in the new year.

Councillor Graham Oakes, portfolio holder for public health, climate change and the environment, said: “This is a crucial project that will significantly reduce the risk of the reservoir dam failing."

Visitors will still be welcome during the works

The reservoir was constructed on the River Isle in 1842 to provide water for Chard Canal, which closed in 1868.

It was later purchased by South Somerset District Council, who turned it and the surrounding land into a nature reserve, popular with dog walkers and anglers.

The site was later inherited by Somerset Council.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), setting its annual budget in March, The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) dedicated nearly £527,000 towards urban water management schemes, with £426,595 of it going to the scheme at Chard Reservoir.

The remainder of the money includes £473,405 from the council’s capital programme, which is partially funded through external borrowing, and £99,000 comes from ring-fenced funding inherited from the former district council.

SRA chairman Mike Stanton said the scheme "will decrease flood risks to nearly 1,000 properties and it will benefit a wide area from Chard down to Muchelney".

“For example, being able to hold back more water before it gets to the River Isle should help to reduce flooding of the A358 at Donyatt, which happened several times in 2023," he added.

The reservoir was constructed on the River Isle in 1842 to provide water for Chard Canal

A full ecological survey has been undertaken, with wildlife around the reservoir being monitored throughout the duration of the work.

A small number of self-seeded trees along the dam’s crest will have to be cut down, with others having to be removed due to ash dieback.

Chaffcombe Lane will remain open to allow residents and businesses access, but traffic lights will be in operation during the works.

Visitors will still be welcome and will be able to use the Oakland Avenue car park.

The Anglers car park on Chaffcombe Lane will be closed until the work is completed.