SRA Annual Report 2024-25: Bridgwater Tidal Barrier
HM Treasury approved the Full Business Case for the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier in September 2024. The site is now expected to be operational by 2027. It will reduce flood risks to over 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.
The barrier is a £249million project led by the Environment Agency and Somerset Council, with contributions now totalling £3.32 million from the SRA and the now defunct Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. These contributions particularly helped to accelerate the project’s early development. It has three main elements:
- a Tidal Barrier across the River Parrett between Express Park and Chilton Trinity
- 4.3 kms (2.67 miles) of new flood defence banks and 2.8 kms (1.74 miles) of raised banks downstream at Chilton Trinity, Combwich and Pawlett
- fish and eel passage improvements at 12 sites upstream of the barrier
Good progress was made in 2024-25. Activities included:
- completing an access track to the barrier site and site compound, starting works to extend haul road access to downstream defences
- completing detailed designs for the barrier and downstream defences, drawing upon analysis of test pile driving data
- installing 834 pre-cast concrete piles on the Parrett’s east bank, to support activities including heavy load-bearing
- installing piles on the Parrett’s west bank, as part of flood bank improvements
- getting a big jack-up barge from Liverpool, to enable construction of a cofferdam, that is an enclosure pumped dry to allow for installing piles for the barrier’s foundations, and other works below water level
- archaeological works, community drop-ins, school and college visits, sessions with local businesses.