A £6 million flood defence project has been approved to shield homes, schools, and businesses along the River Tone from future flooding. Somerset Council, in partnership with the Environment Agency, will install reinforced concrete walls along key stretches of the river to mitigate flood risks.
Hundreds of properties in Taunton’s North Town area will benefit from these new protections as part of a comprehensive flood alleviation strategy. The improvements will safeguard important transport routes, including the A3027, Bridge Street, Staplegrove Road, and Station Road, along with critical community buildings such as North Town Primary School, the police station, local swimming pool, and council offices.
Councillor Caroline Ellis, representing the area, emphasized the significance of the project: “This vital protection will defend over 700 homes, our school, shops, restaurants, businesses on Bridge Street and Station Road, as well as sheltered and supported housing. It also safeguards Taunton’s economy, particularly key town centre regeneration sites like Firepool and the former Poundstretcher location.”
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In addition to protecting residences and businesses, the defence works will secure redevelopment sites at Greenbrook Terrace and Wood Street and support continued regeneration efforts at Firepool.
Taunton MP Gideon Amos praised the initiative, stating, “Another major flood in Taunton is simply not acceptable. I have collaborated closely with the council and Environment Agency to enhance flood defences, and it’s encouraging to see this important scheme move forward, benefiting the local economy and community.”
This phase of the project forms part of the broader Taunton Strategic Flood Alleviation and Improvements Scheme. Although initial groundwork began prior to Somerset Council’s reorganisation in 2023, the current phase has now received formal approval from the council’s Executive Committee.
Construction is set to commence in 2026. The flood defence will feature reinforced concrete walls along key sections of the River Tone’s left bank, finished with brickwork designed to complement local architecture and existing flood protections.
Funding for the entire scheme comes from external sources, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Somerset Rivers Authority, and Homes England.