Thousands of homes, farms and businesses around Glastonbury will be better protected from flooding after a multi-million pound upgrade to key Somerset reservoirs.

The Environment Agency has completed major improvements to West Moor, Curry Moor and Southlake Moor reservoirs in a £90 million scheme to bolster flood defences on the Somerset Levels.

The work is aimed at safeguarding low-lying communities and the crucial A361 route between Glastonbury and Taunton – regularly hit by flood chaos in recent years.

Final weather-dependent work is due in autumn 2026, but the main construction phase is now finished.

Somerset is one of the most flood-prone areas in the country, with nearly a fifth of the county sitting below average tide level. The three revamped reservoirs now form part of a huge network designed to trap millions of cubic metres of floodwater and release it slowly into the Bristol Channel.

At West Moor, near Langport, engineers installed new inlet and outlet spillways and replaced connecting pipes. Together, the system can now store the equivalent of 3,400 Olympic swimming pools.

EA boss Ian Withers said: "These vital maintenance investments represent a significant step forward in continuing to protect Somerset communities from flooding."

Project engineer Jason Flagg added: "Every element has been designed to work as part of the wider flood management network."

advertisement

Much of the material used came from local developments – including soil from the Orchard Grove estate in Taunton – and the works were carefully managed to protect wildlife and preserve archaeological finds.

More local stories:

• Schools in Somerset flag nearly 900 safeguarding concerns as referrals almost double in five years
• Glastonbury van removed from car park after months of complaints

Sign up to our free local newsletter — Our top stories in your inbox every Friday.