Tidal barrier still awaiting permission

THE construction of the Bridgwater tidal barrier could begin in early 2023 - provided that central government grants permission.

Sedgemoor District Council is working with the Environment Agency (EA) to deliver the £99m barrier across the River Parrett, which it is claimed will provide better flood protection to 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses.

The barrier has already received funding from the government’s towns fund as part of a package for Bridgwater in excess of £23 million, as well as contributions from housing developers.

But environment secretary George Eustace still has not granted permission for the scheme to go ahead.

The council and the EA submitted plans to Defra in December 2019 but it took until January 2021 for the proposals to be scrutinised and then passed to Mr Eustace.

While other significant decisions on infrastructure usually take six months Mr Eustace has “no timetable or time limit” for his decision.

With parliament now on summer recess, it is unlikely any decision will be made before September - and it could take up to a further six months for the decision to formally take effect.

EA project executive Graham Quarrier told a meeting of the Somerset Rivers Authority board yesterday that he was also waiting on the Treasury to approve the outline business case.

He said: “The project will be re-submitted to the Treasury later once contract prices are established.

“We are planning to start setting up the site in late 2022 to enable construction to start in early 2023, dependent on achieving approvals and consents.”