Mother Nature making her mark!

Mother nature has made herself known since December 18th, especially in the West country, with, for all we know, more rain and wind expected well into next week and beyond.  A bitter battle has broken out over the management of the Somerset Levels and the recent floods which, with continual squalls and down pours, are not going away.  Critics blame the failure to maintain the dredging of the rivers Parrett and Tone for the fact that the flood waters have still not abated. The EA said this week: “Dredging and clearing channels are important parts of the Environment Agency’s maintenance regime, and we spend £20million a year on dredging. However it is often not the best long term or economic solution compared with other flood risk measures.”
Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Commons-debate-cost-flooding-Somerset-Levels/story-20453023-detail/story.html#ixzz2sjQcWWeT..... I have this theory....listening to local people who understand local problems....might be something for the politicians to think about!!!

As if the pictures of the Somerset Levels, going around the world as we speak, were not shocking enough, we also have disruption to the rail network around the area caused by the floods with delays reported of up to 35 minutes at stations between Taunton and Bridgewater.  Check before you start your journey: http://www.journeycheck.com/firstgreatwestern   And here's more misery for rail users to Cornwall which was cut off last week by the severe weather which pulled the sea wall down at Dawlish and left the beautiful sea view rail track hanging like a roller coaster!!   The connection is not expected to be made for at least the next 6 weeks.....looks to be longer from these pictures!!!  Dawlish in better times:

 

So!...what's all this got to do with STAG: Stonehenge Traffic Action Group and it's efforts to get the A303 upgraded, I hear you ask....well here comes OUR "connection"....we must not forget the disruption caused to the people and their businesses in the West Country and on down to the bottom of Cornwall.   With no railway until well into the spring.....freight and passengers will be forced to take to the roads.  The most used westerly route will be M4>>>>M5 and it just takes a minor incident on either of these routes, and no diversions through Somerset due to the flooding.....to bring everything to a stand still.    Tourism being a major industry in the West country.....No rail....no road.....no goods.....no employment.......no economoy.....simples!   Just this morning, I've had news that the rail problem has hit other southern routes, so please check on: ttp://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/alerts.aspx before you "take to the rails".   There has been a land slip off the embankment at Botley which has closed the lines between Eastleigh and Fareham taking in routes via hedge End.....More people on the roads then......
 We need the A303 to be dualled all the way to the the "Highway to the Sun" giving tourists, business people, and supply vehicles an alternative that will not delay their onward journey which presently, the A303 cannot promise!!   Somerset County Council appear to be supportive/active in efforts to improve the A303 in their area.....I'm afraid however, Wiltshire Council need to stop GANDERFLANKING and get more involved with what we at STAG are trying to achieve!!
Please sign our Parliamentary petition to dual the A303 all way down the corridor here: www.sh2.co.uk