SRA Annual Report 2021-22: Bridgwater Tidal Barrier
Bridgwater Tidal Barrier is a major project led by the Environment Agency and Sedgemoor District Council, with support from Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA). Its purpose is to reduce flood risks to more than 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.
The project has three main elements: a tidal barrier across the River Parrett between Express Park and Chilton Trinity; 4.3 kilometres (2.67 miles) of new flood defence banks and 2.8 kilometres (1.74 miles) of raised banks downstream at Chilton Trinity, Combwich and Pawlett; and fish and eel passage improvements at 12 sites upstream of the barrier.
The SRA put £2million of Growth Deal money from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership towards project costs, up to the application for the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) needed to build all the project’s main elements. A TWAO application was submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in December 2019.
Activities in 2021-22
In January 2022, it was announced that the Secretary of State at Defra had approved the TWAO for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier project.
The Environment Agency now has the necessary legal powers to proceed, although before each element of the project can be built many complex planning conditions have to be met.
The £100 million Barrier project will be funded by central government and by local partnership funding. In March 2022, the SRA Board agreed to put a further £490,000 towards the local funding required, on top of £300,000 given in March 2021.
The Environment Agency has appointed Atkins as consultants, Kier as contractors to complete detailed designs.
It is hoped to start preliminary works at the Barrier site in 2022-23, so it is ready for use in 2026. All project elements are due to completed by 2029.
Ongoing investigations
In January 2022, the Environment Agency investigated ground and archaeological features near Chilton Trinity on the western bank of the Parrett, where an old brickworks will be affected by Barrier construction. New information was acquired about underground voids that will need to be tackled. Archaeological open days at the site attracted many enthusiastic visitors.
Other activities have included topgraphical surveys on foot and by drone; discussions with local landowners; early ecological surveys; and fun and informative sessions with local schools about the Barrier, flooding and climate change. The Barrier will directly reduce flood risks for four schools.
The Environment Agency has been striving to reduce the carbon impact of this project, and seeing extra funds for landscaping and environmental improvements.