Claverton Pumping station reopens after series of floods

Claverton Pumping Station has flooded 18 times in six months

A 19th Century pumping station designed to transfer river water into a canal has reopened after a series of floods.

But volunteers who run Claverton Pumping Station, a local museum in Somerset, are concerned for its future.

The Grade I listed 19th Century waterwheel was designed to maintain water levels in the Kennet and Avon canal, but has flooded regularly for the past 200 years.

Volunteers say recent "relentless flooding" is causing problems.

"We have flooded every week or two for the past seven months," said Dr Julian Stirling, chair of trustees for the charity that operates the pumping station.

"There is no time for the timber to dry, and rot is starting to set in."

Dr Julian Stirling said he does not know how the charity could cope with the flooding in the long term

He said: "Last Friday was the 18th flood since October.

"Long term, if this starts happening every year, I don't know how we'll deal with it."

A mill stream runs right through the building to power the waterwheel. When the River Avon bursts its banks the building can be sitting in a 300m (1,000ft) wide valley full of water.

Mr Stirling said the frequent floods made it a struggle to maintain the waterwheel as well as having to clean the building after every flood.

Volunteers have to clean up after every flood

The highest flood was recorded to reach 8ft (2.4m) high inside the building.

Mr Stirling said they are not the only water mill facing the problem with rising water levels and climate change.

The charity is trying to raise £5,000 for repairs and to make the building more flood resilient.