Long-awaited improvements to the River Brue will not begin for at least another year, with local councillors and flood experts criticising the slow progress on flood prevention measures.

The Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) has confirmed that no groundwork will begin before 2026/27, despite extensive studies and more than a decade of debate over how to improve flood resilience along the river, which flows through Glastonbury, Street, and Highbridge.

After previous funding for River Brue improvements went unspent in 2021 due to disagreements over the details of a scheme, the SRA has now outlined 12 potential projects for the river catchment.

These include dredging, bank maintenance, and improvements to key drainage points, but further studies are required before any action can be taken.

Councillors and flood prevention experts have expressed frustration at the continued delays, with some branding the process "disappointing" and "too time-consuming."

The River Brue, which begins in Brewham near Bruton and flows through Glastonbury, Street, and the Somerset Levels, has been at the centre of flood risk concerns for years. While major improvements have been made to the River Parrett, River Tone, and King's Sedgemoor Drain, progress on the Brue has stalled repeatedly.

The Somerset Drainage Board Consortium (SDBC) completed fresh modelling studies in early February, identifying 12 improvement schemes that could help manage flooding and improve water flow. These include:

• Removing silt and clearing vegetation upstream of Bason Bridge and at Hackness sluice near Highbridge
• Enhancing flood defences at Highbridge Clyce to prevent backflow during high tides
• Increasing water flow through the river around Glastonbury and Street
• Repairs to Decoy Rhyne and North Drain, which manage water levels on the Somerset Levels
• Expanding the capacity of the Huntspill River, which feeds into the River Brue

While an estimated £170,000 remains available for further preparatory work, officials say the earliest that construction could begin is the 2026/27 financial year.

Sean Papworth, lead officer for resilience and adaptation at Somerset Council, said: "The full findings of the latest studies will be shared in the summer. The ideal scenario is that viable recommendations will be put forward for inclusion in the SRA's 2026/27 programme."

Councillors and local representatives have voiced frustration over the slow pace of progress, arguing that the lengthy assessment process has left residents vulnerable to flooding.

Bill Smart, a member of Wedmore Parish Council, said:

"The suggestion that this issue has been ongoing for 'several' years is misleading—it's now entering its 11th year. The modelling alone will take another eight months, and even in an 'ideal scenario,' groundworks won't start until 2026/27."

"It's incredible that any public body would accept such a lethargic approach."

SRA board vice-chairman Tony Bradford was equally critical of the delays, arguing that priority should be given to restoring the River Brue's capacity.

"We should get on and do the river, then sort the rest out later. It's all about drainage, and we're making this too complicated and too time-consuming."

Despite these concerns, SRA board chairman Cllr Mike Stanton defended the decision to carry out further studies before breaking ground.

"We're all frustrated by the slow pace of progress, but this is an incredibly complex process. Any changes to one part of the river can have unintended consequences elsewhere, which is why this work has to be done carefully."