Flood defences downstream of Bridgwater’s new £249 million tidal barrier are on track to be completed before Christmas, the Environment Agency (EA) has confirmed.
The barrier, spanning the River Parrett near Express Park in Bridgwater, aims to enhance flood protection for over 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses. Construction is progressing steadily, driven by a scheme designed to be both effective and cost-efficient.
In a recent design efficiency review, the EA has optimized tower heights and introduced modern construction techniques to control costs while maintaining robust protection. This diligent approach has enabled the EA to assure the public that the downstream defences will be finished by the end of 2024, with updated timelines and budgets set to be released later this summer.
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At the Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) board meeting on June 5, Dr. Rachel Burden, EA project sponsor, highlighted key milestones: the temporary bypass channel is complete and safely diverting river flows around the coffer-dam. Steel piles have been driven into the riverbed within the coffer-dam to support the barrier structure, and concrete substructure construction is underway. The building of the three towers is slated to commence later this financial year.
Construction infrastructure advances include a three-kilometre haul road at Chilton Trinity, facilitating imminent work on the final 600 metres of secondary flood defences. Another haul road between Dunball and Pawlett will support flood defence works downstream of the Hinkley Point C park and ride, set to restart by late June.
Nigel Bennetts, part of the tidal barrier project team, emphasized the positive outlook: “We anticipate completing the downstream defences this year. The design efficiency review initiated in late 2025 has simplified the barrier’s design, ensuring cost pressures are managed without compromising flood protection.”
Further refinements from the ongoing review focus on operational building and landscape design improvements. An updated project timeline and cost forecast will be shared once the review concludes this summer.
Looking ahead, starting in early 2027, the project will embark on constructing 12 fish and eel passes upstream of the barrier along the River Parrett and River Tone. These ecological enhancements aim to mitigate disruption caused by the barrier once operational.