A Somerset MP has slammed the Environment Agency for pulling out of maintaining dozens of rivers and streams across the county.

Sarah Dyke, who represents Glastonbury and Somerton, says the decision could leave local homes and businesses facing greater flood risk, especially over winter.

The Environment Agency (EA) has written to landowners confirming it plans to stop maintaining several key waterways in the region. Among them are the River Cary, White Lake, Red Lake, and Hartlake, along with smaller channels like Wickmoor Rhyne, Kenn Lower, and Blind Pill Ryne. Drainage routes such as Panborough Drain and Kingsmoor Main Drain are also affected.

In West Somerset, rivers including the Avill, Aller, Horner Water, and Washford River are on the list, while in and around Taunton, Kingston Stream, Norton Brook, Dyers Brook, and Galmington Stream are among those impacted.

The Somerset Drainage Boards Consortium (SDBC) says the move came without proper consultation, despite its legal role in water level management. It has now formally challenged the decision, arguing it breaches the EA's own rules. An Extraordinary Meeting has been called by the South Western Branch of Drainage Authorities to discuss next steps.

In a letter to Emma Hardy MP, Minister for Water and Flooding, Ms Dyke wrote: "Over recent weeks riparian owners have received letters stating that the Environment Agency will halt maintenance in 6 months' time due to a lack of funding. This has caused great alarm from those surrounding the impacted watercourses and from the Somerset Drainage Board Consortium, who have written to the Environment Agency to formally challenge this action.

"I would also like to outline my concerns at this decision, as I believe it will heighten the flood risk in Glastonbury and Somerton. As you will be aware, continued maintenance of main rivers is crucial to protect local homes and businesses. If this responsibility is to be passed to riparian owners, then the risk to locals could increase substantially if they fail or are unable to take adequate action."

She also warned that the EA's own modelling shows as many as 39,000 more homes in the South West could be at risk of flooding by 2050.

"Just last winter, towns and villages across South Somerset suffered from devastating floods that destroyed many properties, with some residents still unable to return home," she added. "Ensuring the Environment Agency is sufficiently equipped to deal with this heightened threat must be a top priority for your department."

She has called on the minister to urgently review the decision and make sure the EA follows its own processes in full.