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Prince Charles returns to Somerset Levels after floods Prince Charles returns to Somerset Levels after floods
(35 minutes later)
The Prince of Wales is returning to the Somerset Levels six months after much of the area was devastated by winter floods.The Prince of Wales is returning to the Somerset Levels six months after much of the area was devastated by winter floods.
Charles ratcheted up the pressure on the government to act when he visited at the height of the flooding and was overheard saying it was a "tragedy" that it was taking so long for help to arrive.Charles ratcheted up the pressure on the government to act when he visited at the height of the flooding and was overheard saying it was a "tragedy" that it was taking so long for help to arrive.
He visited the cut-off village of Muchelney on a boat that householders were using to get in and out of the community, and inspected flooded farms on a trailer hauled by a tractor.He visited the cut-off village of Muchelney on a boat that householders were using to get in and out of the community, and inspected flooded farms on a trailer hauled by a tractor.
His visit on Tuesday will be a little less tricky to manage. He is expected to arrive on four wheels and will meet businesspeople and residents at a beautiful – and completely dry – 800-year-old barn in Muchelney.His visit on Tuesday will be a little less tricky to manage. He is expected to arrive on four wheels and will meet businesspeople and residents at a beautiful – and completely dry – 800-year-old barn in Muchelney.
An area of 25 sq miles (65 sq km) was under water at the height of the floods. As well as Muchelney, the hamlets and villages of Moorland, Fordgate and Burrowbridge were particularly badly affected. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes.An area of 25 sq miles (65 sq km) was under water at the height of the floods. As well as Muchelney, the hamlets and villages of Moorland, Fordgate and Burrowbridge were particularly badly affected. Hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes.
Charles arrived on the Levels in February, a month into the crisis, and was drawn into a deepening controversy over what many people saw as a lack of action by the government and the Environment Agency (EA). At the time of his fact-finding mission neither the prime minister, David Cameron, or the chairman of the EA, Lord Smith, had visited. Charles arrived on the Levels in February, a month into the crisis, and was drawn into a deepening controversy over what many people saw as a lack of action by the government and the Environment Agency. At the time of his fact-finding mission neither the prime minister, David Cameron, or the chairman of the EA, Lord Smith, had visited.
He grabbed headlines after an ITV television camera crew recorded him saying: "There's nothing like a jolly good disaster to get people to start doing something. The tragedy is that nothing happened for so long." He grabbed headlines after an ITV camera crew recorded him saying: "There's nothing like a jolly good disaster to get people to start doing something. The tragedy is that nothing happened for so long."
Following Charles's visit, Cameron and Smith duly arrived in Somerset. It took 12 weeks for the waters to recede and since then the debate has continued over how to prevent such a disaster in the future.Following Charles's visit, Cameron and Smith duly arrived in Somerset. It took 12 weeks for the waters to recede and since then the debate has continued over how to prevent such a disaster in the future.
A 20-year flood action plan has been drawn up by local authorities with input from the government and the EA. Short-term measures have included dredging a stretch of the river Parrett. Increasing its capacity makes it easier to drain water off the low-lying Levels when they flood.A 20-year flood action plan has been drawn up by local authorities with input from the government and the EA. Short-term measures have included dredging a stretch of the river Parrett. Increasing its capacity makes it easier to drain water off the low-lying Levels when they flood.
So far about a mile of a planned five miles has been cleared of silt and reeds. Plans are afoot to raise the level of some roads, including at least one into and out of Muchelney.So far about a mile of a planned five miles has been cleared of silt and reeds. Plans are afoot to raise the level of some roads, including at least one into and out of Muchelney.
But many residents and local politicians are still calling for firm government promises of investment in two major projects – the building of a barrage or sluice on the river Parrett to prevent the influx of water from the Bristol Channel at high tide, and the setting up of a Somerset Rivers Authority that taps into the expertise of local people who understand how the complex water systems work in the man-made Levels. But many residents and local politicians are still calling for firm government promises of investment in two major projects – the building of a barrage or sluice on the river Parrett to prevent the influx of water from the Bristol Channel at high tide, and the setting up of a Somerset Rivers Authority that taps into the expertise of local people who understand how the complex water systems work in the manmade Levels.
The government says a report on the sluice is due to be completed in September and a rivers authority is being set up.The government says a report on the sluice is due to be completed in September and a rivers authority is being set up.
The district councillor Mike Best said of Charles's visit this week: "We are delighted and honoured that his royal highness has chosen to return so soon. We are proud that he will see the amazing recovery achieved by local people and by the environment." District councillor Mike Best said of Charles's visit this week: "We are delighted and honoured that his royal highness has chosen to return so soon. We are proud that he will see the amazing recovery achieved by local people and by the environment."