Unsurprisingly the mainstream media only reports major flooding events, particularly where is loss of life. After all "quarry floods and water freezes on local lane for a week" is hardly headline news. But those travelling around the UK recently are likely to have experienced some relatively minor but nevertheless annoying disruption to their journeys. Indeed, in my own small village of Cleeve in North Somerset, there were at least three separate areas of run-off, leading to really quite hazardous conditions for roads users and pedestrians, including on a major commuter route into Bristol. 

A combination of frozen ground followed by significant rainfall and below freezing overnight temperatures meant overflowing streams, standing water, temporary traffic lights, diversions and treacherous ice were a common feature this January. Now the water has receded, we are also left with many thousands of pounds worth of damage to roads and pavements, not to mention the cost to vehicle owners of dropping their wheels into surprisingly large new potholes.

It is all too easy though to herald the onset of spring without setting this winter within the overall context of the longer term. Minor flooding might just seem like a temporary inconvenience, but when a Local Authority comes to assess the damage, the bill will be significant. Of course, each year, it is much easier simply to repair the damage and move on to the next issue. But this overlooks the obvious...if you don't address the cause it is only going to get worse and more costly. Eventually, it might even be in the news. 

This was just one of the issues raised at the inaugural meeting of the Cleeve Community 2050 group, a small but growing group of local residents who are concerned about the future of their village. There are short term issues, mainly to do with speeding and parking, but there is also a focus on the longer term, with the recent survey of residents revealing that their two top priorities were protection of nature and climate change.

It is early days for the group, with lots to investigate, piles of rules and regulations to understand and much bureaucracy to contend with. With the help of the Parish Council, our aim is to help Cleeve become the UK's first 'smart living' village.