SRA Annual Report 2023-24: Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation Improvements Scheme (TSFAIS)
The main purpose of Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation Improvements Scheme (TSFAIS) is to reduce flood risks to 1,031 properties arising from the River Tone and its complex network of tributaries. TSFAIS has been part-funded by the SRA since 2016. In 2016-17, the SRA contributed Growth Deal funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
During 2023-24, three initial TSFAIS projects were led by Somerset Council and the Environment Agency.
Brief updates:
1. River Tone Left Bank Flood Defences – raising low spots from Frieze Hill to Town Bridge. Consultants Binnies produced outline designs for improved flood defences. A well-attended public drop-in session was held in March 2024. Progress has been complicated by the need to comply with regulations introduced in February 2024, requiring this project to produce a 10% increase in biodiversity. The project team have been looking at ways to achieve this.
2. Raise Firepool Lock gates and build up to 750 metres of River Tone flood defence, from Firepool Lock to the A358 Obridge Viaduct. Consultants WSP created a ‘Truncated Flood Model’ to reduce modelling run times, to help with the consideration of the combined benefits of different short-term measures.
3. Longrun Meadow flood attenuation improvements – increasing the storage of excess water from the river, controlling when it floods and when that water is released back into the Tone through new embankments, inlet and outlet structures. After delays caused by local government reorganisation, consultants WSP were commissioned to work on a draft delivery programme. It is currently expected that it will take two years to get planning permission for improvements, and two years to construct them.