99-609: The Westport Canal was built in the late 1830s to link Westport and Langport in Somerset , England. It was part of a larger scheme involving improvements to the River Parrett above Burrow Bridge . Langport is the point at which the River Yeo joins the River Parrett and the intention was to enable trade via the port at Bridgwater . It remained in use until the 1870s, but closed when
198-733: A population of 514 in 2011. The parish includes the villages of Hambridge and Westport , and is in the South Somerset district. Westport lies on the disused Westport Canal and Hambridge lies close to its junction with the River Isle . Hambridge is most notable as the place at which Cecil Sharp was inspired by the Rev. Charles Marson , Vicar of Hambridge, to begin collecting folk songs . The two villages, Hambridge and Westport share many resources including Parish Council, Church (the Church of St James
297-542: A growing tourism industry. People have been draining the area since before Domesday Book . In the Middle Ages, the monasteries of Glastonbury , Athelney and Muchelney were responsible for much of the drainage. The artificial Huntspill River was constructed during the Second World War as a reservoir, although it also serves as a drainage channel. The Sowy River between the River Parrett and King's Sedgemoor Drain
396-455: A line of electricity pylons, by one of two routes between Hinkley Point and Avonmouth . The plans attracted local opposition. The first consultation process ended in January 2010. They had proposed that each pylon would be 151 feet (46 m) high: the consultation was only in respect of preferences between two alternate routes, not the size nor the use of large pylons. The proposed line, which
495-561: A medieval masonry building on the top of the hill. Along the coast, settlements such as Berrow are built on the line of sand dunes separating the low-lying marshes from the Bristol Channel. At the northern end Bleadon lies on the River Axe ; and there was for many years a small harbour, sometimes known as Lympsham Wharf. The arrival of the Bristol and Exeter Railway in 1841, which crossed
594-630: A monastery, Athelney Abbey , on the Isle in 888, which survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1539. Bawdrip is a small village which has a population of 498. Brent Knoll is a large village at the foot of 449-foot (137 m) Brent Knoll Camp that dominates the surrounding landscape; the name means Beacon Hill in Old English . Brent Knoll has been inhabited since at least
693-563: A month, the village of Thorney had been abandoned and Muchelney had been cut off by flood waters for almost a month. Environment Minister Owen Paterson visited the area on 27 January 2014, and after meeting local MPs, the Environment Agency and various community representatives the night before in Taunton, promised at a media-only press conference at North Moor pumping station that if a local water management plan could be developed over
792-574: A problem that was not resolved until the sea defences were enhanced in the early 20th century. In addition, the problems of high fresh water floods are aggravated by the unrestricted entry of the tide along the Parrett , which is the only river in the Levels and Moors that does not have a clyse on it. Discussions on whether a clyse is needed for the Parrett and whether it should be sited at Bridgwater or nearer
891-760: A sluice). The area is prone to winter floods of fresh water and occasional salt water inundations. The worst in recorded history was the Bristol Channel floods of 1607 , which resulted in the drowning of an estimated 2,000 or more people, houses and villages swept away, an estimated 200 square miles (500 km ) of farmland inundated, and livestock killed. Another severe flood occurred in 1872–1873, when over 107 square miles (300 km ) were under water from October to March. Although underlain by much older Triassic age formations that protrude to form what would once have been islands—such as Athelney , Brent Knoll , Burrow Mump and Glastonbury Tor —the lowland landscape
990-448: A source of European eels ( Anguilla anguilla ) and young elvers, which are caught by hand netting as this is the only legal means of catching them. A series of eel passes have been built on the Parrett at the King's Sedgemoor Drain to help this endangered species; cameras have shown 10,000 eels migrating upstream in a single night. The 2003 BBC Radio 4 play Glass Eels by Nell Leyshon
1089-486: A total of 14 wind turbines , with Ecotricity to build five or four adjacent to the M5 Motorway near Brent Knoll and Électricité de France to build nine at East Huntspill, are opposed by local groups on the grounds of their effect on the local environment and potential damage to the bird population. Willow has been cut and used on the Levels since mankind moved into the area. Fragments of willow basket were found near
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#17328513419011188-586: Is 10 to 12 feet (3 to 4 m) O.D. with peak tides of 25 to 26 feet (8 to 8 m) O.D. recorded at Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea. Large areas of peat were laid down in the Brue Valley during the Quaternary period after the ice sheets melted. The area's topography consists of two basins mainly surrounded by hills, the runoff from which forms rivers that originally meandered across the plain but have now been controlled by embanking and clyses (the local name for
1287-821: Is also part of the Glastonbury and Somerton county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. Somerset levels The Somerset Levels are a coastal plain and wetland area of Somerset , England, running south from the Mendips to the Blackdown Hills . The Somerset Levels have an area of about 160,000 acres (650 km ) and are bisected by
1386-465: Is at the mouth of the River Parrett where it enters Bridgwater Bay . The position of the town on the edge of the Somerset Levels has resulted in a history dominated by land reclamation and sea defences since Roman times. Burnham was seriously affected by the Bristol Channel floods of 1607 , and various flood defences have been installed since then. A concrete sea wall was built in 1911, and after
1485-568: Is due to open by September 2017, will transmit electricity at 400 kilovolts from the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station . Hinkley Point C is a project to construct a 3,200 MWe nuclear power station with two EPR reactors. The site is one of eight announced by the British government in 2010, and in November 2012 a nuclear site licence was granted. On 28 July 2016 the EDF board approved
1584-623: Is easy to see why the area acquired a number of legends, particularly of King Arthur and his followers, who some believe based his court in the hill fort at South Cadbury . According to legend, Alfred the Great burnt cakes when hiding in the marshes of Athelney , after the Danish invasion in 875. After the Battle of Edington the Danish king was baptised at Aller and a peace treaty signed at Wedmore . In 1685,
1683-679: Is extracted. A Palaeolithic flint tool found in West Sedgemoor is the earliest indication of human presence in the area. The Neolithic people exploited the reed swamps for their natural resources and started to construct wooden trackways , including the world's oldest known timber trackway , the Post Track , dating from about 3800 BC. The Levels were the location of the Glastonbury Lake Village as well as two Lake villages at Meare Lake . Several settlements and hill forts were built on
1782-469: Is now used as a house. The timber store, which was also built in 1836, has found new use as an industrial workshop, while two semi-detached cottages, used by canal workers, still occupy a site near the canal basin entrance. The bridge at the basin entrance, which carries a track called Barrington Broadway over the canal, was built of lias and ham stone with a single segmental arch. A little further downstream, an almost identical bridge carries Knighton Drove over
1881-530: Is responsible for local planning and building control , local roads, council housing , environmental health , markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling , cemeteries and crematoria , leisure services, parks, and tourism . Somerset County Council is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as education , social services , libraries , main roads, public transport , policing and fire services , trading standards , waste disposal and strategic planning. It
1980-456: Is the earliest indication of human presence in the area, dating from approximately 500,000 years ago. Later during the 7th millennium BC the sea level rose and flooded the valleys, forcing the Mesolithic people to occupy seasonal camps on the higher ground, indicated by scatters of flints. Subsequent winter flooding probably led to prehistoric man's using the Levels only in the summer, hence
2079-694: Is unclear why windmills were not employed, as they were on the Fens of East Anglia , but only two examples have been recorded on the Levels: one at Bleadon at the mouth of the River Axe, where a sea wall had been built, and the other at Common Moor north of Glastonbury, which was being drained following a private Act of Parliament in 1721. The first steam pumping station was Westonzoyland Pumping Station in 1830, followed by more effective ones from 1860. Automatic electric pumps are used today. The human-made Huntspill River
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#17328513419012178-503: The Bronze Age . Before the Somerset Levels were drained, Brent Knoll was an island known as the Isle (or Mount) of Frogs. Glastonbury (population 8,784) and Street (11,066) lie on opposite sides of the River Brue , and provide a central point for trade and commerce. Larger centres are generally on slightly higher ground around the edges of the Levels. Bridgwater is a market town ,
2277-495: The East Anglian fens , historically a similar area of low marsh. They are still liable to widespread fresh water flooding in winter. One of the approaches to reducing the risk of flooding within the catchment area of the Parrett is the planting of new woodlands. Controversy about the management of the drainage and flood protection has previously involved the activities of IDBs. However, IDBs have been actively participating with
2376-522: The Monmouth Rebellion ended at the Battle of Sedgemoor , which was fought in the Bussex area of Westonzoyland . The Levels have few wooded areas, just occasional willow trees. The landscape is dominated by grassland, mostly used as pasture for dairy farming with approximately 70 per cent of the area being grassland and 30 per cent arable. From January until May, the River Parrett provides
2475-569: The Polden Hills ; the areas to the south are drained by the River Parrett , and the areas to the north by the rivers Axe and Brue . The Mendip Hills separate the Somerset Levels from the North Somerset Levels . The Somerset Levels consist of marine clay "levels" along the coast and inland peat-based "moors"; agriculturally, about 70 per cent is used as grassland and the rest is arable. Willow and teazel are grown commercially and peat
2574-576: The Sowy River onto the moor. It has the capacity to hold 1.2 million cubic metres as part of a scheme by the Parrett Internal Drainage Board to restore ten floodplains in Somerset. In spring, the water is drained away to enable the land to be used as pasture during the summer. The scheme is also used to encourage water birds. The Levels were frequently flooded by the sea during high tides,
2673-874: The Vale of Taunton and Quantock Fringes to the west, the Blackdowns to the southwest, the Mid Somerset Hills and Yeovil Scarplands to the southeast, the Mendip Hills to the east and the Bristol, Avon Valleys and Ridges to the northeast. The Levels are mainly flat areas of inland plains and a coastal sand and clay barrier, east and west of the M5 motorway . There are some slightly raised parts, called "burtles", as well as higher ridges and hills. The Levels are about 20 feet (6 m) above mean sea level ( O.D. ). The general elevation inland
2772-595: The peat bog including the Honeygore, Abbotts Way, Bells, Bakers, Westhay and Nidons trackways. The Levels contain the best-preserved prehistoric village in the UK, Glastonbury Lake Village , as well as two others at Meare Lake Village . Discovered in 1892 by Arthur Bulleid , it was inhabited by about 200 people living in 14 roundhouses , and was built on a morass on an artificial foundation of timber filled with brushwood, bracken , rubble and clay. Investigation of
2871-537: The second largest hoard ever found from the Roman Empire included coins dated from as early as 31–30 BC up until 224 AD. The hoard also contained two rare coins which had not been discovered in Britain before, and the largest number of silver denarii ever found in Britain. A number of Anglo-Saxon charters document the incorporation of areas of moor in estates, suggesting that the area continued to be exploited. It
2970-485: The Axe on a bridge, obstructed river traffic beyond the wharf, making it the limit of navigation for coastal vessels. An Act of 1915 authorised the drainage of the river and installation of a flood gate at Bleadon, although attempts to control the water had occurred on Bleadon Level since medieval times, including an early windmill , in 1613, to pump water into the sea from behind a sea wall. Burnham-on-Sea (population 18,401)
3069-481: The Bronze Age. It is the site of an Iron Age hillfort known as Brent Knoll Camp , with multiple ramparts ( multivallate ) following the contours of the hill. Several settlements and hill forts were built on the natural "islands" of slightly raised land, including Brent Knoll, Glastonbury , and the low range of the Polden Hills . According to legend Ider son of Nuth, who was one of King Arthur 's knights, went to
Westport Canal - Misplaced Pages Continue
3168-491: The Glastonbury Lake Village, and it was used in the construction of several Iron Age causeways. The willow was harvested using traditional methods of pollarding , where a tree would be cut back to the main stem. New shoots of willow, called "withies", would grow out of the trunk and these would be cut periodically for use. During the 1930s, over 9,000 acres (36 km ) of willow were being grown commercially on
3267-667: The Less ), Branch of the Royal British Legion and Recreation Trust who manage a recreation ground and Village Hall. There is a thriving school and many additional clubs and societies use the Village Hall as a meeting venue. The Hall is often used for wedding receptions and for celebration events of all kinds. It has panoramic views across the Somerset Levels towards Burrow Hill. The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover
3366-421: The Levels, such as thatching (using reeds) and basket making (using willow), have been in decline since the second half of the 20th century. Combined with the recent drop in farm incomes, this poses a potential threat to the "traditional" nature of the area as a whole. Subsidies are paid to farmers who manage their land in the traditional way. In 2009, National Grid began public consultations over plans to build
3465-424: The Levels. Largely because of the replacement of baskets by plastic bags and cardboard boxes, the industry has severely declined since the 1950s. By the end of the 20th century only about 350 acres (1.4 km ) were grown commercially, near the villages of Burrowbridge , Westonzoyland , and North Curry . The Somerset Levels is now the only area in the UK where basket willow is grown commercially. For weaving,
3564-554: The Meare Pool indicates that it was formed by the encroachment of raised peat bogs , particularly during the Subatlantic climatic period (1st millennium BC), and core sampling demonstrates that it is filled with at least 2 metres (6.6 ft) of detritus mud. The two villages within Meare Pool appear to originate from a collection of structures erected on the surface of the dried peat, such as tents, windbreaks and animal folds. Clay
3663-549: The Middle Ages, the monasteries of Glastonbury , Athelney , and Muchelney were responsible for much of the drainage. In 1129, the Abbot of Glastonbury was recorded as inspecting enclosed land at Lympsham . Efforts to control flooding on the Parrett were recorded around the same date. In 1234, 722 acres (2.9 km ) were reclaimed near Westonzoyland and, from the accounts in the abbey's rent books, this had increased to 972 acres (393 ha) by 1240. Flooding of adjacent moor land
3762-747: The Moors and Levels are the rivers Axe , Brue , Huntspill , Parrett , Tone , and Yeo , together with the King's Sedgemoor Drain , an artificial channel into which the River Cary now runs. Previously, the Cary ran into the Tone while the Brue ran through Meare Pool (now drained) and the Panborough Gap, and then into the Axe. Another accomplishment in the Middle Ages was the construction of
3861-633: The Mount of Frogs on a quest to slay three giants who lived there. The fort has been claimed as the site of the Battle of Mons Badonicus . Sea salt was extracted during the Roman period, and a string of settlements were set up along the Polden Hills. Some possible settlement sites are also known in the Draycott and Cheddar Moors and around Highbridge . The discovery at Shapwick of 9,238 silver Roman coins ,
3960-482: The Parrett Catchment Partnership, a partnership of 30 organisations that aims to create a consensus on how water is to be managed, in particular, looking at new ways to achieve sustainable benefits for all local stakeholders. During 2009 and 2010, work was undertaken to upgrade sluice gates, watercourses, and culverts to enable seasonal flooding of Southlake Moor during the winter diverting water from
4059-477: The Parrett catchment area into eight sub-areas, with the Somerset Levels and Moors falling into sub-area 6 and Bridgwater falling into sub-area 7. As part of the published flood risk assessments for both these sub-areas, it is recognised that: at a future date a tidal clyse may be needed on the Parrett; this causes a funding dilemma; and, geomorphology studies of the Parrett and the Tone are needed to help address many of
Westport Canal - Misplaced Pages Continue
4158-543: The River Isle joins from the west, Middlemoor bridge carries the towpath back onto the east bank, where it remains until Midelney Bridge, another grade II listed structure, which carries a minor road to Midelney Manor , a grade I listed house built on what was once an island owned by Muchelney Abbey . Much of it is sixteenth century, with some nineteenth century additions. Below the bridge, the Southmoor main drain runs parallel to
4257-682: The River Parrett Navigation at no cost. The Bill became an Act of Parliament on 1 July 1878. Although the Act made provision for closing any of the navigations which came under their control, they took it to mean that all navigations must be closed. Users of the Westport Canal presented a petition requesting that the canal be retained in 1880, but were instructed that the Drainage Commissioners had no powers to allow this to happen. The canal
4356-528: The River Parrett exceeded the budget, and a second Act of Parliament was obtained in 1839, to allow the company to raise another £20,000 and to increase the tolls. Local merchants sought to oppose the increase by opposing the bill, but Benjamin Lovibond, who was acting for them at the House of Commons, produced a petition, which was investigated by a Select Committee and found to be forged. The route from Langport followed
4455-432: The River Parrett to its junction with the River Isle. Here a lock was built, to maintain the water levels on the River Isle , and about one mile (1.6 km) further upstream, the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) canal turned off towards Westport, where five wharfs and a basin were built. A half lock at the junction protected the canal from high river levels. Gravatt is known to have designed an innovative set of flood gates as part of
4554-535: The Second World War further additions to the defences were made, using the remains of a Mulberry harbour ; the present curved concrete wall was completed in 1988. Highbridge , which neighbours Burnham, is near the mouth of the River Brue and the villages of East and West Huntspill . Along with the rest of South West England the Somerset Levels have a temperate climate, which is generally wetter and milder than
4653-409: The Somerset Drainage Commissioners took over control of the River Parrett. Despite a petition against closure by local people, the Commissioners ruled that navigation of the canal must cease due to their interpretation of the Act which gave them control of it, leaving the canal to serve as a drainage channel since 1878. The channel has survived to the modern day due to its drainage function, and many of
4752-442: The Somerset Levels as a "cultural landscape". It was suggested that if this bid were successful it could improve flood control, but only if wetland fens were created again; the plans were abandoned in 2010. The Somerset Levels form a natural region that has been designated as a national character area – No. 142 – by Natural England , the public body responsible for England's natural environment. Neighbouring natural regions are:
4851-404: The administrative centre of the Sedgemoor district, and a major industrial centre. With a population of 33,698, it straddles the major communication routes through South West England . Situated on the edge of the Somerset Levels, along both banks of the River Parrett and 10 miles (16 km) from its mouth, it was at one time a major port and trading centre. The hamlet of Dunball forms part of
4950-416: The canal to Westport. The scheme was supported by two local landowners, the Trevillian family and the Combe family, and so obtaining land for the route was not difficult. On Brunel's recommendation, the engineer for the whole scheme was William Gravatt , who had previously worked with Brunel on the Bristol and Exeter Railway , and he was assisted locally by Charles Hodgkinson. The cost of the initial work on
5049-400: The canal to the railway. In 1875 there was flooding in Westmoor, and local landowners opened Langport Lock on the River Parrett, as the company could not afford to repair a broken culvert which carried drainage water under the river. With the lock open, no tolls could be charged, and the Somersetshire Drainage Bill was amended to allow the Somerset Drainage Commissioners to take over the whole of
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#17328513419015148-399: The canal. The B3168 Westport to Curry Rivel road has run along the west bank since Westport, but soon the road and canal part. A footbridge carries the towpath over to the east bank, and the canal passes to the east of Hambridge. Near Hambridge, the towpath crosses back to the west bank, after which Westmoor bridge crosses. This has been lowered, and would prevent navigation. A little before
5247-437: The channel, with the towpath sandwiched between the two on the western bank. Finally it reaches the derelict Midelney lock. Close by is Midelney pumping station, which was built in the 1960s at the head of Westmoor main drain. Download coordinates as: [REDACTED] Media related to Westport Canal at Wikimedia Commons Westport, Somerset Hambridge and Westport is a civil parish in Somerset , England. It had
5346-417: The chief cause of rain. In summer, a large proportion of the rainfall is caused by the Sun heating the land, leading to convection and to showers and thunderstorms. Average rainfall is around 700 mm (28 in), and about 8–15 days of snowfall is typical. November to March have the highest mean wind speeds, and June to August have the lightest winds. The predominant wind direction is from the southwest. It
5445-414: The council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with
5544-409: The county of Somerset may derive its name from Sumorsaete , meaning land of the summer people . An alternative suggestion is that the name derives from Seo-mere-saetan meaning "settlers by the sea lakes". The Neolithic people continued to exploit the reedswamps for their natural resources and started to construct wooden trackways such as the Sweet and Post Tracks . The Sweet Track, named after
5643-548: The current defences for five years while undertaking further studies of available options. Although the Environment Agency have made plans for the regular winter flooding, still in recent years this has resulted in a number of villages — including Muchelney and Westonzoyland — being cut off. In November 2012, during the 2012 Great Britain and Ireland floods , after six days Somerset County Council -funded BARB rescue boats reached Muchelney on 29 November, rescuing nearly 100 people. Rescue boats were again required during
5742-502: The digging of rhynes (a local name for drainage channels, pronounced "reens" in the east and rhyne to the west) between plots, and wrote in his Agriculture of the County of Somerset that 4,400 acres (18 km ) had been enclosed in the last 20 years in Wedmore and Meare , 350 acres (1.4 km ) at Nyland, 900 acres (3.64 km ) at Blackford, 2,000 acres (8 km ) at Mark , 100 acres (0.4 km ) in Shapwick , and 1,700 acres (7 km ) at Westhay . At Westhay Moor in
5841-497: The district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council. The parish falls within the Non-metropolitan district of South Somerset , which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 , having previously been part of Langport Rural District . The district council
5940-402: The early 17th century, during the time of King James I , abortive plans were made to drain and enclose much of Sedgemoor , which the local Lords supported but opposed by the Commoners who would have lost grazing rights. In 1632, Charles I sold the Crown's interest in the scheme, and it was taken over by a consortium that included Sir Cornelius Vermuyden , a Dutch drainage engineer. However,
6039-452: The early 19th century, it was shown how peat bogs could be successfully drained and top-dressed with silt deposited via flooding, creating a very rich soil. The character of the soil was also changed by the spreading of clay and silt from the digging of King's Sedgemoor Drain. Little attempt was made during the 17th and 18th centuries to pump water, possibly because the coal-driven Newcomen steam engines would have been uneconomical. It
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#17328513419016138-438: The entrance to Westport wharfs has been refurbished, as have the terminal warehouse buildings. There is local interest in improving the canal as an amenity, and possibly the restoration of navigation for small boats. The canal terminated at Westport, and there are a number of structures which have survived. The square, 3-storey warehouse which was built in 1836 and fronted onto the basin is grade II listed , although part of it
6237-405: The form of the Durston to Yeovil Railway, started in 1847 and completed in 1853. The six years prior to 1853 had all shown receipts in excess of £1,400, but these had dropped to £673 by 1857 and £347 by 1871. Major clearance work to remove reeds and mud was required in 1858, which caused the canal to trade at a loss. A railway through Ilminster and Chard opened in 1866, and trade continue to move from
6336-599: The incorporation of areas of moor in estates. In 1685, the Battle of Sedgemoor was fought in the Bussex area of Westonzoyland at the conclusion of the Monmouth Rebellion . As a result of the wetland nature of the Levels, the area contains a rich biodiversity of national and international importance. It supports a vast variety of plant and bird species and is an important feeding ground for birds and includes 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest , of which 12 are also Special Protection Areas . The area has been extensively studied for its biodiversity and heritage, and has
6435-405: The land for up to 7 years. Since 1990, the drainage boards have been charged with watching the rhynes and keeping them clear, under the overall responsibility of the Environment Agency. With rising sea levels, the work required to maintain the sea defences is likely to become more expensive, and it has been proposed that two inland seas be created. Other studies have recommended maintaining
6534-423: The moors was not possible: thus, water is pumped up into the river throughout the year. The Sowy River between the River Parrett and King's Sedgemoor Drain was completed in 1972. The Levels and Moors are now artificially drained by a network of rhynes which are pumped up into "drains". Water levels are managed by the Levels internal drainage boards (IDBs); the Levels are not as intensively drained or farmed as
6633-428: The more unusual products still made are passenger baskets for hot air balloons , the frames inside the Bearskins worn by the regiments of the Grenadier Guards , and an increasing number of willow coffins . Another use of willow has been found by the Coate family, who make artists' charcoals in Stoke St Gregory . It has become in 30 years the leading artists' charcoal manufacturer in Europe, producing most of
6732-407: The mouth of the river date back to 1939, at the start of World War II, and have not been resolved. On 13 December 1981, a large Atlantic storm hit the North Somerset coast . Meteorological conditions caused a large storm surge which coincided with high astronomical tides in the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary . Wind speeds were measured at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph). Overtopping of
6831-399: The natural "islands" of slightly raised land, including Brent Knoll and Glastonbury . In the Roman period sea salt was extracted and a string of settlements were set up along the Polden Hills. The discovery at Shapwick of 9,238 silver Roman coins , known as the Shapwick Hoard , was the second-largest ever found from the time of the Roman Empire . A number of Saxon charters document
6930-411: The newly formed Parrett Navigation Company powers to raise £10,500 by the issuing of shares, and an additional £3,300 from a mortgage if required. The canal was part of a bigger scheme; the act authorised improvements to the River Parrett between Burrow Bridge and Langport, rebuilding of the river bridge at Langport, which had obstructed navigation up-river from there for many years, and construction of
7029-447: The next six weeks, he would approve it. Such plan would likely include the dredging of the rivers Tone and Parrett, and possibly a later sluice near Bridgwater. There have been public protests about the river Parrett not being dredged in recent years. In mid-February 2014 the Environment Agency began installing giant pumps imported from the Netherlands to alleviate the continuing flooding. A Palaeolithic flint tool found in Westbury
7128-407: The old roads, in contrast to the old hollow ways found in other areas of England, are causeways raised above the level of the surrounding land, with a drainage ditch running along each side. Most of the settlements on the Levels are small villages. In the south, Aller , which has a population of 374, includes the hamlet of Beer (sometimes Bere ) and the deserted medieval village of Oath on
7227-463: The opening of the Chard canal in 1842, Stukey and Bagehot's boats alone paid tolls on 10,402 tons of goods in 1843. The main cargoes were coal, which was brought to the villages served by the canal, and grain, which was exported via the canal. Other cargoes included incoming timber, which was stored in one of the warehouses for seasoning, together with outgoing stone and reeds. However, competition arrived in
7326-521: The opposite bank of the River Parrett. The area known as the Isle of Athelney was once a very low isolated island linked by a causeway to East Lyng , each end of which was protected by a semi-circular stockade and ditch. The ditch on the island is now known to date from the Iron Age , and was used by Alfred the Great as a fort before the Battle of Ethandun in May 878; in gratitude for his victory Alfred founded
7425-420: The peat digger who discovered it in 1970 and dating from the 3800s BC, is the world's oldest timber trackway , once thought to be the world's oldest engineered roadway. The track was built between what was in the early 4th millennium BC an island at Westhay and a ridge of high ground at Shapwick , close to the River Brue . The remains of similar tracks have been uncovered nearby, connecting settlements on
7524-413: The peat formation took place in swamp conditions around 6,000 years ago, although in some areas it continued into medieval times. It is a mainly agricultural region, typically with open fields of permanent grass surrounded by ditches with willow trees. Access to individual areas, especially for cattle, was provided by means of " droves ", i.e. green lanes, leading off the public highways. Some of
7623-577: The planned route of the Chard Canal . Although that canal would link the towns to Taunton, those planning the Westport Canal made approaches to the Chard Canal proprietors about the possibility of a link from Westport to the new canal, but this was rejected. Against this background, and having engaged Isambard Kingdom Brunel as engineering consultant, the construction of the Westport Canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament obtained in 1836. The Act gave
7722-494: The port on the river. Burrowbridge lies on the River Parrett further inland. The name probably comes from the Old English buruh (fortified hill) and bryċġ (bridge). In the village is Burrow Mump , an ancient earthwork now owned by the National Trust . Burrow Mump is also known as St Michael's Borough or Tutteyate. It is a natural hill of Triassic sandstone capped by Keuper marl . Excavations showed evidence of
7821-507: The project, and on 15 September 2016 the UK government approved the project with some safeguards for the investment. In March 2017, EDF, after the Office for Nuclear Regulation gave approval to start building a network of tunnels to carry cabling and piping, started work also under way on a jetty, seawall and accommodation blocks. The concrete pour for the first reactor is planned only at earliest in 2019. In 2010 and 2011, two proposals to build
7920-423: The project, which were described as "self-acting". The canal was officially opened on 20 May 1839, but there were complains about water levels from some of the merchants, and further work was required to remove shoals in the river section. The project was completed in 1840, and was initially profitable. The Westport terminus gained two warehouses, a coal yard owned by Stukey and Bagehot, and a manager's office. Despite
8019-623: The rain and storms from Cyclone Dirk in the turn of the year 2014, and subsequently during the Winter flooding of 2013–14 on the Somerset Levels . On 24 January 2014, in light of the continued flooded extent of the Somerset Moors and forecast new rainfall as part of the Winter storms of 2013–14 in the United Kingdom , both Somerset County Council and Sedgemoor District Council declared a major incident . At this time, with 17,000 acres (6,900 ha) of agricultural land having been under water for over
8118-466: The rest of the country. The annual mean temperature is approximately 10 °C (50.0 °F ). Seasonal temperature variation is less extreme than most of the United Kingdom because of the adjacent sea. The summer months of July and August are the warmest, with mean daily maxima of approximately 21 °C (69.8 °F). In winter, mean minimum temperatures of 1 or 2 °C (33.8 or 35.6 °F) are common. The Azores high pressure area influences
8217-410: The sea defences along a 7 miles (11 km) stretch of the Somerset coast at 22 locations from Clevedon to Porlock began after 19:30. Although there was no loss of life, the resultant flooding covered 12,500 acres (5,100 ha) of land, affecting 1,072 houses and commercial properties, with £150,000 worth of livestock killed and £50,000 of feed and grain destroyed. Wessex Water Authority estimated
8316-440: The southwest of England's summer weather, but convective cloud sometimes forms inland, reducing the number of hours of sunshine. Annual sunshine rates are slightly less than the regional average of 1,600 hours. In December 1998, there were 20 days without sun recorded at Yeovilton . Most rainfall in the southwest is caused by convection or Atlantic depressions , which are most active in autumn and winter, when they are
8415-413: The species Salix triandra (almond willow, black maul ) is grown, while Salix viminalis (common osier) is ideal for handles, bases, and the structural members in furniture and hurdles. Historically willow was used to make salmon traps or " putchers ". Products including baskets, eel traps (kypes), lobster pots , and furniture were widely made from willow throughout the area in the recent past. Among
8514-440: The structures associated with the canal can still be seen. A number of them are on the listed building register because of their historic importance. There is some interest in improving the canal for its amenity value. By the 1830s, the village of Westport was well-connected to the surrounding area, as a result of turnpike road construction in 1753, 1759 and 1823. The roads linked Westport to Ilminster and Chard, which were also on
8613-488: The tidal Pillrow Cut, joining the Brue and Axe. In 1500, there was said to be 70,000 acres (283 km ) of floodable land of which only 20,000 acres (81 km ) had been reclaimed. In 1597, 50 acres (20 ha) of land were recovered near the Parrett estuary; a few years later, 140 acres (57 ha) near Pawlett were recovered by means of embankments; and three further reclamations, totalling 110 acres (45 ha), had been undertaken downstream of Bridgwater by 1660. In
8712-602: The total cost of the damage caused at £6M. This resulted in a three-year programme of sea defence assessment, repair and improvement. With 400 properties affected in Burnham-on-Sea , after emergency repairs, Wessex Water Authority began planning new sea defences. Construction work started in 1983 on a £7M scheme, creating what was then Britain's biggest wave return wall . The Environment Agency 's current "Parrett Catchment Flood Management Plan", published in December 2009, divides
8811-441: The uncertainties associated with a tidal exclusion project. The Levels are at risk from both tidal and land-based flood waters. During the great storm of 1703 , waves came four feet (1.2 m) over the sea walls. The sea wall was again breached in 1799, filling the Axe valley with sea water. In 1872, another flood covered 7,000 acres (28 km ) and in 1919, 70,000 acres (283 km ) were inundated with sea water, poisoning
8910-474: The work was delayed by the English Civil War and later defeated in parliament after local opposition. In 1638, it was reported that nearly 2,600 acres (11 km ) of Tealham and Tadham Moors were not reclaimed, with a total of 30,500 acres (123.43 km ) being undrained. Between 1785 and 1791, much of the lowest part of the peat moors was enclosed. In 1795, John Billingsley advocated enclosure and
9009-437: Was a port at Bleadney on the River Axe in the 8th century which allowed goods to be brought to within 3 miles (5 km) of Wells . In 1200, a wharf was constructed at Rackley near Axbridge . The Parrett was navigable up as far as Langport in 1600, with 15 to 20 ton barges. The Domesday Book recorded that drainage of the higher grounds was under way, although the moors at Wedmoor were said to be useless. In
9108-435: Was completed in 1972; water levels are managed by the Levels internal drainage boards . During 2009 and 2010 proposals to build a series of electricity pylons by one of two routes between Hinkley Point and Avonmouth , to transmit electricity from the proposed Hinkley Point C nuclear power station , attracted local opposition. Discussions have taken place concerning the possibility of obtaining World Heritage Site status for
9207-505: Was constructed during World War II with sluices at both ends to provide a guaranteed daily supply of 4,500,000 imperial gallons (20,000,000 L; 5,400,000 US gal) of "process water". It was intended that in the summer, when water supply was lower, it would serve as a reservoir with water pumped from the moors; and in winter serve as a drainage channel, via gravity drainage. Geotechnical problems prevented it from being dug as deep as originally intended and so gravity-drainage of
9306-515: Was devastated by the UK storms of January–February 2014 . The Moors and Levels, formed from a submerged and reclaimed landscape, consist of a coastal clay belt only slightly above mean sea level, with an inland peat belt at a lower level behind it. Early attempts to control the water levels were possibly made by the Romans (although records only date from the 13th century), but were not widespread. There
9405-480: Was effectively abandoned as a navigation from 1875, and used as a drain for the Somerset levels from 1878. The canal still contains water, and can be navigated by light craft such as canoes, which can be portaged at Midelney lock. Some refurbishment of the canal was carried out by Wessex Water Authority in the 1970s. Midelney lock is derelict, and the Westmoor Lane bridge at Hambridge has been lowered. The bridge at
9504-455: Was formed only during the last 10,000 years, following the end of the last ice age . Glastonbury Tor is composed of Upper Lias Sand . The Poldens and the Isle of Wedmore are composed of Blue Lias and Marl , while the Mendips are largely Carboniferous limestone . Although sea level changes since the Pliocene led to changes in sea level and the laying down of vegetation, the peak of
9603-574: Was later spread over the peat, providing raised stands for occupation, industry and movement, and in some areas thicker clay spreads accommodated hearths built of clay or stone. The area continued to be inhabited during the Bronze Age , when the population supported itself largely by hunting and fishing in the surrounding marshes, living on artificial islands connected by wooden causeways on wooden piles. There have been many finds of metalwork during peat cutting, which may have been devotional offerings. Brent Knoll has been settled by people since at least
9702-400: Was partially addressed during the 13th century by the construction of a number of embankment walls to contain the Parrett. They included Southlake Wall, Burrow Wall, and Lake Wall. The River Tone was also diverted by the Abbot of Athelney and other land owners into a new embanked channel, joining the Parrett upstream from its original confluence. The main drainage outlets flowing through
9801-542: Was set on the Parrett. The Levels, as part of the West Country, traditionally produced cider , with individual farms having orchards and their own cider, known as scrumpy . However, over 60% of Somerset's orchards have been lost in the last fifty years; and apple production occupies less than 0.4% of the land. Cider is still produced in Somerset by Thatchers Cider , Gaymer Cider Company and numerous small independent producers. Other local industries that once thrived on
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