Somerset Council has announced a delay to the £6 million flood protection scheme designed to shield Taunton town centre, pushing the start date back to early 2027. The project, part of the Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme (TSFAIS), is a collaborative effort involving the council, the Environment Agency (EA), and the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA).
Initially prioritized in October 2025, the scheme involves constructing reinforced concrete flood walls along two critical stretches of the River Tone. These areas include Clarence Street—between French Weir Park and the Tangier Bridge—and a section near the former Poundstretcher site, between Riverain Lodge and the Town Bridge. The new walls will be finished with brickwork to blend seamlessly with the town’s existing architecture.
These defences aim to safeguard approximately 225 properties directly from flooding, while also lowering the flood risk for an additional 508 properties. Key infrastructure protected includes the A3027 road, North Town Primary School, Taunton Pool, Deane House (housing the police station and town council chamber), and various town centre businesses. The scheme also supports regeneration efforts at Firepool and Wood Street.
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Funding for the project primarily comes from local housing developments through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), providing up to £5.76 million. The Department for Education (DfE) contributes £750,000 to protect North Town Primary School, while the EA is expected to secure between £500,000 and £800,000 from Defra’s flood defence grant.
Parts of the flood defence network are already in place; for example, the stretch between Riverain Lodge and Tangier Bridge was upgraded as part of a retirement development, and the Firepool regeneration site was raised above the flood plain in 2022.
Somerset Council remains in active consultation with Taunton Town Council, local residents, and businesses to plan construction work that minimizes disruption. Work schedules will consider local events and community needs, with ongoing communication to stakeholders throughout the project’s duration.
While construction on this primary flood alleviation project is delayed, planning for additional flood defence measures in Taunton is underway.