19/02/2014 BBC Points West

Good evening. David Cameron has described the

flooding in Somerset as "difficult and depressing." The Prime Minister

came to the Levels again today ` his third visit to the county since the

crisis began. He also predicted that it would take at least six weeks to

clear the excess water away. Scott Ellis reports.

The Prime Minister visiting the Dutch pumping operation at Beer Wall

today. They're not on full`time This was a test run. Like everyone,

David Cameron is wondering how soon before the water is gone. Very

little has changed since his last visit. It is very difficult and

depressing. I said then it was a long haul, and I said then things

would probably get worse before they get better. What has improved, and

we now have a pumping strategy in place, a new pump and strategy with

more pumps, and are trying to get the amount of water pumped off the

Levels from three million tonnes a day to five million tonnes a days.

That will help, but the problem is, even with that, and that is the

maximum capacity, we are still looking at something like six weeks

to get the Levels dry. The Prime Minister has pledged to spend as

much money as is needed to clear up the floods, but less clear is

funding for the longer term solutions. These Dutch government

engineers have been in Somerset all week with the Environment Agency.

Holland spends 1 euro billion a year on flood defence. What is their

advice for us? What happened now is an extreme event. You have to make a

choice whether you want to be ready for these types of events, or if you

will accept these extreme events but be prepared for events a little less

extreme. You have to make that choice. Personally, I think you

shouldn't look for quick win, because a quick win now might be a

mistake for the future. It is highly unlikely we will ever spend anything

like the Dutch do on flood defence. 60% of their land mass is below sea

level. Here, it is not the same and we need to think about how we spend

money for the best benefit costs in this area. We will do that and take

on board the recommendations they make. The Environment Agency says we

can learn a great deal from the Dutch. They have after all learned

to live with water, rather than fight it. With the water so slow to

shift, there are now these weekly surgeries being held at The

Canalside in Bridgwater. These offer support to victims, who are

desperate to find out what help they can get and what the future holds.

We are a displaced community. All these guys live next door to each

other and go next door to have a chat. This is a great opportunity

for them to get together and discuss what is going on in their lives We

are displaced, aren't we? We have also learned today that if the Dutch

pumping operation is up to speed, then the Sluice Gate on the River

Parrett could be raised this weekend. That will let water out of

the Parrett and ease pressure there, but it may also threaten homes

around Aller. Police in Gloucestershire have been

given until tomorrow afternoon to question a man arrested on suspicion

of murdering his ex`girlfriend. 20`year`old Hollie Gazzard was

stabbed in the hairdressers where she worked just before 6pm yesterday

evening. She was rushed to hospital, but doctors were unable to save her

life. Andrew Plant reports. A busy shopping street in the centre

of Gloucester, taped off as forensic teams searched the area. Police were

called just before 6pm they said, to reports of a woman being attacked

inside the Fringe Benefits hair salon. There was police cars, and

later on I heard this evening that someone had been stabbed. When

police arrived here they found 20`year`old stylist Hollie Gazzard

seriously injured. She was rushed to Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary

just a few minutes away, but died soon afterwards from the stab wounds

she received. Hollie lived locally and also worked at this pub a few

miles away. Today, her family asked to be allowed to grieve in peace,

but released a statement, saying: "Everybody she came in contact with

loved her, enjoyed her company, her happy nature and her sense of fun.

The world has lost a treasure." This is very early stages of this

investigation and I would urge any members of the community who have

witnessed this incident, or wish to come forward, to please contact us

on 101. The attack happened just before 6pm yesterday evening when

this salon was still open for business. There were still staff and

customers inside, and today police have said they will be referring

those people to counselling services, because they will be

deeply traumatised by what they saw. Police say they arrested a

22`year`old man. He's being questioned on suspicion of Hollie's

murder. Somerset County Council has

announced that its Chief Executive, Sheila Wheeler, has left the Council

by mutual agreement. The news follows speculation over Mrs

Wheeler's whereabouts, as she hasn't been at work for a couple of months.

The Council says that she's brought major changes to the way that the

Council is run, and that they wish her well for the future.

Councillors have unanimously voted to allow the Bristol Old Vic to

press ahead with the latest phase of its multi`million`pound

refurbishment. These are the plans for the building on King Street It

would cost around ?12 million. The inside of the theatre has already

undergone major work. An RSPCA centre in Somerset says

it's taken in more than 100 sea birds since the beginning of

February, including Guillimots and Puffins. Normally, the birds live

out at sea but increasing numbers are being found across the West

County hungry, tired and in some cases plastered in oil. The rise in

figures is partly because of the stormy weather.

There's more news and information on your local BBC Radio stations and

the BBC Website. We're back with you tomorrow, but now let's get the

latest weather with Ian. The rainfall radar has shown a warm

front. You will see some moderately heavy rain starting to push across

parts of Wiltshire. Behind that some health and drizzle. It is a

mild night tonight. 809 Celsius for many people. Tomorrow morning ``

eight or nine Celsius. There will be another cold front coming through.

The rest of the day will be brighter and the winds will ease back.

There'll be less of a feature tomorrow afternoon, and the showers

will die down. Away from the showers, it'll be decent stuff.

Thames is of did ten or 11 Celsius. It will feel mild `` temperatures.

Saturday is the best day of the weekend. It is wet and windy on

Sunday as well. Friday, a fine day. For the weekend,

here is the BBC National weather. We have got rain and wind in the

forecast, but the good news is that it is not severe. Over the next 24

hours, some of us will get rain and the winds will be strengthening Not

stormy at this stage. This is the satellite picture, you can see the

low pressure in the North Atlantic shunting weather fronts in our

direction. It has been raining heavily