£250M PLANS TO STOP CITY FLOODING
TIDAL surges, burst river banks and fierce storms will deluge Bristol and drench thousands more homes without further action.
That’s the stark warning from Bristol City Council as it unveils a major £249million flood prevention strategy, which should protect the city for the next 100 years at least.
The draft strategy says swathes of the city centre will be “a write-off” if measures are not taken in response to climate change.
It reveals about 1,100 homes and businesses near the city centre, and 200 in neighbouring communities, are currently at risk of being swamped by severe flooding the River Avon.
According to the council, the number of at-risk properties could quadruple by the end of the century and lives would be in danger.
The strategy warns: “Tidal flooding would be relatively rapid.
“Predictions show flood waters inundating a wide area to significant depths, creating an environment hazardous to life.
“Without action, by the end of the century almost 4,500 existing properties could be at risk in severe floods.”
Worrying risks of severe flooding are listed, including “drowning, injuries and hypothermia” as well as longer-term impacts like “chronic disease, disability, poor mental health and stress and anxiety”.
The 100-page report reveals that the widespread flooding of March 2020 was the highest tidal event in Bristol since records began, when “astronomical high tides combined with a storm surge”.
It says there is currently an annual chance of one in 200 of a major flood event like that happening, but that without action, this could become an annual occurrence by the end of the century.
Public consultation launched this week and the council is keen to hear feedback. People can view and comment on the plans on the council’s website until December 20.
The report explains: “Tidal and fluvial flooding from the River Avon represent an increasingly significant risk to Bristol and its neighbouring communities, with the potential for severe consequences.
“The city is at risk from both tidal surges from downstream and high river flows from upstream.
“Climate change is increasing sea levels and peak river flows meaning that widespread flooding of central Bristol is likely to become a relatively frequent occurrence.
“Without the strategy, large sections of Bristol’s city centre would be at potential risk of write-off of existing property or development blight.”
The Severn Estuary has the second highest tide in the world, increasing Bristol’s vulnerability to flooding.
The council has been investigating flood prevention measures for years, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, and has already ruled out several alternatives.
This strategy provides more details about its preferred option: to create new flood defences, or raise the level of existing flood defences, along sections of the River Avon’s banks.
The defences will be built in phases:
» In the 2020s (from 2025):
Raised defences in locations
along the Avon from Swineford upstream, through Bristol city centre and as far downstream as Shirehampton and Pill;
» In the 2060s: Where necessary these defences will be raised, as well as additional defences being constructed along the Malago, in Totterdown and as extensions to defences already built.
The strategy covers not only Bristol but neighbouring areas including Pill, Ashton, Hanham and Keynsham.
Proposals are “at a very early stage”, according to the draft report, but the total project cost has been estimated at £249m - with funding to be sought “from a range of sources”.
This price tag includes £24.3m worth of maintenance work, and the £9m already allocated for the Cumberland Road and Chocolate Path works.
Despite the hefty project cost, the council’s calculations state that “the benefit to the local economy could be over £7.7bn” in the long term.
This accounts for protection against business disruption, the tourism economy, transport infrastructure improvements.
Tourist attractions including SS Great Britain, the M Shed and We the Curious could be among the properties “at risk” without action.
Bristol’s Floating Harbour has been a key part of the River Avon
flood defences since it was built in 1804, but it is no longer enough to protect the city.
The report explains: “The harbour’s capacity is limited and the tidal flood gates are increasingly vulnerable to operational failure, overtopping and outflanking by flood water.”
Sea Mills, the Portway, Cumber
land Basin, Avon Crescent, Coronation Road, Cattle Market Road and at St Philip’s were all cited as problem areas more prone to flooding.
The council says the flood defences could provide the opportunity to improve riverside pedestrian and cycling routes, and enhance public spaces, wildlife areas and heritage sites.