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One of UK's biggest flood defences gets £43m boost

Dan Ayers & Sarah Turnnidge
BBC News, West of England
Defra A computer-generated image of the flood barrier, over the river. It is a large structure made out of two main barriers above the water, with a bridge running along the width of it. The river level is low in the picture, and reinforced metal barriers are seen running along the side of the green river bank. Defra
The defence is set to be operational by 2027

More than £40m has been announced to protect thousands of homes and businesses in Somerset.

Ministers confirmed the Bridgwater tidal barrier will benefit from £43m funding.

The barrier, set to be completed in early 2027, will cost about £249m and this latest cash injection is part of that fee.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said: "The storms this winter have devastated lives and livelihoods. The role of any government is to protect its citizens."

The funding is part of a £2.65bn announcement of investment in flood defences across the UK.

Reed added the government would continue to invest in building and maintaining flood defences.

Sir Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, welcomed the funding, calling it "good news" after years of planning.

He said the barrier would "minimise the risk of flooding" in Somerset and emphasised that "once the water is in the bottom of the saucer, it's difficult to get out."

Fox also noted the economic benefits of the barrier, adding, "It's jobs for the local area," and praised the £43m investment as a positive step forward.

Defra A computer-generated image of the flood barrier, over the river. It is very similar to the previous picture, though it is shown from a higher perspective as if taken by a drone. The green river bank, as well as the business park on the right of the river are more clearly visible. Defra
Billions of pounds worth of government funding have been announced

The barrier in Bridgwater will be constructed across the River Parrett between Express Park and Chilton Trinity, and will have two vertical lift gates which can be closed to prevent water from flowing upstream during very high tides in the Bristol Channel.

This, planners say, will help protect 11,300 homes in Bridgwater and neighbouring villages, as well as some 1,500 businesses, from flooding.

The cost of the whole scheme, including the barrier, the operational site, downstream flood banks at Chilton Trinity, Pawlett and Combwich and 12 upstream sites with improved fish and eel passages, is £249m.

Defra A computer-generated image of the flood barrier, over the river. It is a large structure made out of two main barriers above the water, with a bridge running along the width of it. The perspective is taken from just above river level, with the barrier square in the centre of the image. From this angle it is easier to see how the two gates would lower to prevent water passing through. Defra
It is hoped the structure will prevent some 11,000 homes from flooding

An extra £49m has also been announced in partnership funding.

Alan Lovell, Environment Agency chair, said: "The impact of flooding on our communities will only become greater as climate change brings more extreme weather, like Storms Bert, Conall and Eowyn.

"With this new funding, we will work closely with the government to deliver the vital projects that are needed across the country, ensuring our investment goes to those communities who need it the most."

Hamish Hall, a specialist coastal engineer based in the south west, said: "It's a massive investment for the south west, much-needed to avoid flooding large parts of Bridgwater and the low-lying areas.

"This is the biggest tidal barrier in the south west by quite a long way."

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