Cost of £128m Bridgwater tidal barrier 'bound to increase'

The EA and Somerset Council have been working to deliver the tidal barrier across the River Parrett between the Express Park and the neighbouring village of Chilton Trinity – a barrier which will provide protection to more than 11,300 homes and more than 1,500 businesses.

The barrier is in the early stages of construction, with the access road near the Saltlands recycling centre still being built after asbestos was discovered near the entrance in November 2022.

The EA has now confirmed that the current project cost of £128m (which was signed off by the Treasury in September 2021) may increase significantly due to ongoing high inflation and its impact on the construction industry.

An update on the tidal barrier scheme was presented before the SRA board when it met in Bridgwater on Friday morning (June 16).

Nol Vincent, the EA’s project executive, said that every effort was being made to find savings within the project to keep the overall cost down.

He said in his written report: “The detailed designs are nearly complete, and our value engineering process has continued to search for savings by specification, design and programme efficiencies.

“All projects nationally are subject to high inflationary pressures, especially on materials and construction costs, and while we have been working to a £128m construction cost, this is bound to increase.

“Our project cost consultants are reviewing and updating prices and we are revisiting our project risks. We expect to have a good indication of the revised figures in the next couple of months.

“As inflation affects both costs and benefits, we are confident that the project will continue to enjoy a very favourable benefit-to-cost ratio.”

A further update is due to be given in September. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

The access track to the barrier site is currently being constructed, with 800 metres of new road being laid between the Saltlands recycling centre and the west bank of the river – not far from the planned site of a new solar farm.

The track needs to be strong enough to carry a 250-tonne crane over the former landfill site.

Mr Vincent said: “We have continued dealing with some asbestos found in the soil near the Saltlands entrance. Although this is slowing the construction of the track, it will not delay completion of the barrier.

“It illustrates the merit of undertaking the decision to deliver the track early, recognising there may be problems building over a former tip site. We have also removed vegetation on the track route where required.

“Construction will work in from the Saltlands direction to avoid major plant going through Chilton Trinity Where the track reaches the barrier site, we have taken possession of two fields which we will prepare for use as a site compound and storage area.

“The track and site compound should be finished in the late-summer. The project team is considering how to undertake other enabling works this year, that the construction of the barrier and downstream tidal bank improvements can make rapid progress.

“It is anticipated the barrier will be operational (i.e. providing flood protection) by early-2027; however there will be considerable work to do after that date to complete the whole project.

“For example, the access track will be made suitable for both maintenance vehicles and as a cycleway once all heavy construction plant is removed.”

Once the barrier is up and running, with a cycle bridge running across the top of it, there will be a complete loop connecting both sides of the river, making it easier to explore the English Coast Path and the River Parrett Trail, as well as accessing cycle routes along the A38.

A further update is due to be given at the next SRA board meeting, which is expected to be held in late-September.