SRA Annual Report 2023-24: Bridgwater Tidal Barrier
Bridgwater Tidal Barrier is a major £249million project led by the Environment Agency and Somerset Council, with contributions from Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) and – until 2019 – from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. A barrier will reduce flood risks to more than 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses, and benefit the local area by £2billion.
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
Activities in 2023-24
Good progress was made during the year.
Activities included:
- submission of a Full Business Case to HM Treasury
- completion of an access track to the barrier site and site compound, and the start of works to extend haul road access to downstream defences
- test pile driving to assess the local impacts of noise and vibration, and work out how best to mitigate those
- near-completion of detailed designs for the barrier and downstream defences, drawing upon analysis of test pile driving data
- archaeological works, community drop-ins, school visits
The Full Business Case for the Barrier was approved in September 2024 and the Barrier is expected to be operational by early 2027.