BridgwaterBarrier FloodProtection TidalDefences coastalengineering ClimateResilience

£249M Tidal Barrier Project Gains Momentum with Barge and Piling Works

*Arrival of Red7 JACK Up Barge. Source: SomersetLive (image by Paul Greenwood)*

The construction of the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier, a £249M flood defence project in Somerset, has taken a significant step forward with the arrival of a jack-up barge. This floating platform will support critical construction activities, including the installation of a cofferdam and piling foundations. Once completed, the barrier will safeguard 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses from tidal flooding, making it one of the largest flood protection projects in the UK.

The Role of the Jack-Up Barge

On March 13, the Haven Sea Seven jack-up barge arrived at the River Parrett after a carefully planned journey from Liverpool, including a stop at Barry Port to load a 300-tonne crane. This platform is crucial for the construction of a cofferdam—an enclosure that allows work below the waterline—and for bearing pile installation, which will form the barrier's foundation.

Ground Engineering works - Filling the pile caps at BridgeWater Tidal Barrier. Source: Ground Engineering

A Long-Term Solution for Flood Protection

The Bridgwater Tidal Barrier will consist of two vertical lift gates, preventing high tidal surges from flooding the town and surrounding communities. Alongside the main barrier, the project includes:

Upgraded flood banks at Chilton Trinity, Pawlett, and Combwich
A new operational site with a control building and storage facilities
Twelve upstream improvements to enhance fish and eel migration

Despite facing delays and cost increases—rising from £100M in 2022 to £249M by 2023—the project remains vital. When completed in 2027, it is expected to deliver over £2bn in benefits to the region, ensuring long-term resilience against rising sea levels and extreme weather events.