Kier Secures £101m Contract to Continue Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Works

The Environment Agency and Somerset Council have appointed Kier to continue construction on the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier under a contract valued at £101 million.

The project is designed to strengthen flood protection across the area, helping to safeguard approximately 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses from tidal flooding. It will also protect important local infrastructure and support the wider economic resilience of Bridgwater and surrounding communities.

The scheme includes the construction of a new barrier across the River Parrett, together with downstream flood defences. Additional works will deliver improvements for fish and eel passage, as well as environmental enhancements and new habitat creation.

Kier has been active on the project since 2023. Work has already advanced on the downstream defences, while key enabling works have been completed to create safe working areas and foundations for the main tidal barrier structure.

A significant milestone was reached in April when the Haven SeaSeven jack-up barge departed the site. Its departure followed the completion of temporary works for the bypass channel and the in-channel cofferdam, marking an important step forward in the delivery of the flood defence scheme.