SRA Annual Report 2025-26: Bridgwater Tidal Barrier
Bridgwater Tidal Barrier will reduce flood risks for over 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.
It’s a project led by the Environment Agency and Somerset Council, with contributions now totalling £3.37 million from the SRA and the old 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 at Chilton Trinity, Combwich and Pawlett
- fish and eel passes at up to 12 sites upstream of the barrier
Extensive progress was made in 2025-26. Activities included:
- as part of a Design Efficiency Review, simplifying the Barrier’s superstructure, which still incorporates three sculptural towers and two vertical lift gates
- with the aid of a huge jack-up barge, constructing a cofferdam, that is an enclosure pumped dry to allow for works below water level
- completing the installation of tubular piles for the Barrier’s foundations
- completing the bypass channel needed so the Parrett can still flow around the cofferdam while further works take place
- working on outfall structures, embankments, piling mats, culverts and haul roads around Chilton Trinity and Pawlett
- archaeological works, community drop-ins, school and college visits, sessions with local businesses
