THE Environment Agency and Somerset Council have revealed how the Bridgwater tidal barrier will look once work is eventually completed in 2027.
"We have completed the detailed design and are preparing to carry out enabling works for the barrier, such as the bypass channel and the downstream defences," a spokesperson for the tidal barrier said.
Located on the River Parrett between the Express Park and Chilton Trinity, the barrier is being designed to mitigate the rising risk of tidal flooding in Bridgwater town centre and the surrounding area.
Considerable progress has been made by the governing bodies to enable work to begin at the site since the last update in August earlier this year.
As well as completing the full design for the new barrier, a new 'haul road' to transport building materials directly to the site is currently being built.
The southern section of the road from the current site boundary fence in the West Bank Compound area has been completed, and crews are currently working on a stretch from Straight Drove at the north of the site, to meet with the completed road in the middle.
Other recent works at the site have included an archaeological investigation which uncovered a suspected medieval stone building, and the safe relocation of local water voles to new locations.
For the remainder of 2023, developers hope to continue with the haul road construction, infill the remaining ditches, install the construction boundary fencing, and install appropriate fencing for future public footpath diversions.
In 2024, there are plans to complete the construction of the Barrier Way and downstream works to the east of Straight Drove, as well as Express Park enabling works such as an access road and working platform on the east bank - not forgetting the construction of the temporary by-pass channel.
Once complete, the barrier will reduce tidal flood risk to 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses in the area.
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