Major flood prevention scheme given government sign-off

An artist's impression of the barrier to be built north of Bridgwater, between the town and the Bristol Channel

A £249m barrier to protect thousands of homes and businesses in Somerset from flooding has been given approval by the government.

Bridgwater tidal barrier will be constructed across the River Parrett between Express Park and Chilton Trinity, and should be finished by early 2027.

It will have two vertical lift gates which can be closed to prevent water from flowing upstream during very high tides in the Bristol Channel, protecting 11,300 homes in Bridgwater and neighbouring villages from flooding.

The project has now had its full business case approved by the government which the Environment Agency said "gives us the greatest certainty that delivery of the barrier will go ahead."

Site preparation works have already begun - this is the view from Express Park towards Chilton Trinity

It is not yet clear whether the full business case approval also includes full funding or whether that might be confirmed in the government's budget next month.

The barrier, which will also protect 1,500 businesses in the area from flooding, is already in the early stages of construction.

An access track to the location has been completed along with groundworks and other site preparation taking place.

However the project's original £100m estimate has now been dwarfed with a new price-tag of £249m in light of high inflation and supply chain issues within the construction industry.

A report to the Somerset Rivers Authority cited "inflationary pressures in construction, not least concrete, steel, energy and labour prices, all of which are major elements of the scheme’s cost".

An artist's impression showing the two vertical gates in an open position

Piers Hooper, Environment Agency operations manager for Wessex west flood and coastal risk management, gave an update at a recent Somerset Rivers Authority board meeting.

“I’m pleased to say that we have now got Treasury approval for the business case for the tidal barrier. It’s obviously a very significant milestone," he said.

“Work will continue as planned and we will look forward to the barrier being operational by 2027."

Artist's impression showing the footbridge which will also be constructed over the River Parrett

The tidal barrier was one of the major projects identified within the Somerset 20-year flood action plan, which was created in early-2014 in response to the serious floods which hit the Somerset Levels and Moors in the winter of 2013/14.

The barrier will have a footbridge running over the top to enable pedestrian and cycling access to both sides of the river.

New flood defences will also be created downstream of the barrier to prevent flooding in that area and protect numerous species, including eels and fish.