THE Burnham and Somerset Levels Sea Flood Study Group formed some two years ago and the reason for its formation was that on attending meetings of the Environment Agency we found that all the discussions and the thinking and the spending of vast sums of money was directed at dealing with floods on the Somerset levels. No one seemed to be thinking of the obvious, stopping the floods before they happened, i.e. the sea defences.

At present all thought is directed on the proposed barrage at Weston-Super-Mare (Brean Down to Lavernock Point in South Wales) which will obviously push water to left and right thereby creating more pressure on the minor sea defences of Brean and Berrow.

You will have read the horrifying report published by the Somerset County Council a week ago showing that many thousands of people and homes are at risk and equally frightening is the thought of rising insurance premiums.

Now many years ago another proposal was considered, a barrage from Minehead to South Wales in the breaksea or Nash Point. Such a barrier would be 5km longer, but it would retain 150% more water and produce a much greater output of power than the Weston barrage and the water depth would make sea borne construction eminently possible. Above all it would be protection for the Somerset levels and all the low lands east of the Barrage. For the sake of our children and our grandchildren we must consider the Minehead barrage.

Brian Wills, Balmoral Drive, Burnham-on-Sea.