Volunteers praised for repair work on flood-hit Cheddar Gorge road

A major breakthrough has seen work start on repairing the much troubled B3135 through Cheddar Gorge.

Cheddar Caves & Gorge director Hugh Cornwell has heaped praise on a small team of volunteers who did what no one else could – divert water off the road so repair can begin.

Wednesday of last week saw Chris Billinghurst of Somerset Wildlife Trust, Alison Moody, Rich Whitcombe, Clive North, Stuart McCanus and Bob Corns of Natural England, clear sinkholes on Longwood Valley, dumping water underground and diverting if off the B3135.

Mr Cornwell said: “We are very lucky that ‘private volunteers’ like these will put themselves out for the benefit of the rest of the community without any thought of reward or even recognition by the community.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

“I suppose it was ever thus – you give Mendip Cavers the muckiest job on the planet on the filthiest day of the year and they come up trumps.”

Road repairs started on Friday and, with luck, may be finished by tomorrow. Though no word yet on when the road closure will be lifted, now in its 88th day.

Martin Grass of Draycott said: “I would love to know how much money has been saved in loss of business and expensive diversion plans. If your business has been helped and you pass the Hunters Lodge at Priddy stop off and put in a pint for the lads, they deserve it.”

Longwood has been described as a river since November due to sink holes being filled with silt.