Treasury approves business case for Bridgwater Tidal Barrier

The Environment Agency (EA) and Somerset Council have been working to deliver the tidal barrier across the River Parrett between the Express Park in Bridgwater 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 project now expected to cost around £230m in light of high inflation and supply chain issues within the construction industry.

The project has faced months of uncertainty as councillors and officers awaited the final business case being approved by the Treasury, with the council pledging in late-August to provide nearly £14m of “partnership funding” to shore up the project (of which the majority will come from local housing developments).

This uncertainty has been exacerbated by chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves’ announcement in late-July that numerous major infrastructure projects would be either reviewed to cut costs (including Wellington’s new railway station) or cancelled altogether (such as the A303 tunnel at Stonehenge).

But the EA has now confirmed that the Treasury has finally approved the business case – meaning the barrier will be up and running by 2027.

Piers Hooper, the EA’s operations manager for Wessex west flood and coastal risk management, confirmed the barrier’s future when the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) board met in Bridgwater on Friday morning (September 20).

A drone shot of the Bridgwater tidal barrier construction site, taken last year. (Image: Somerset by Drone) He said: “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.

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

Dr Rachel Gavey, who sits on the EA’s Wessex regional flood and coastal committee, added: “We have that level of certainty now.

“We wait for the October budget as well, but so far it’s all pointing in the right direction.”

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 catastrophic floods which hit the Somerset Levels and Moors in the winter of 2013/14.

The barrier will be constructed across the River Parrett between the Express Park and Chilton Trinity – with a footbridge running over the top to enable pedestrian and cycling access to both sides of the river.

The barrier will have two ‘vertical lift’ gates which can be closed to prevent water from flowing upstream during very high tides – something which would put Bridgwater and the neighbouring villages at great risk.

The Bridgwater tidal barrier construction compound. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

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

Rachel Burden, the EA’s Wessex area flood and coastal risk manager, provided further detail in a written update which was published before the SRA board meeting.

She stated: “Detailed designs for the barrier and downstream banks are now substantially complete.

“The project team continues to look for cost savings through specification, design, programme efficiencies and by improving build-ability.

“Construction of the western access track from Saltlands to the barrier site is complete and works to extend the haul road access to the downstream defences are being constructed, including temporary stock-proof fencing and ditch crossings.

“Our contractor has also mobilised to the barrier’s operational site at Express Park and has commenced groundworks and site preparation. The orders for the bypass channel piles and foundation piles have also been placed.”