Enabling works start next month in readiness for a vital £6 million flood alleviation project to help protect homes and businesses in Taunton.
Somerset Council and the Environment Agency are working in partnership to replace and improve the river flood defences along the left bank of the Tone – Clarence Street, the river footpath by BT Exchange and by the former Poundstretcher site.
The main construction work replacing the current defences is scheduled to start early next year.
The improved flood defences along two stretches of the River Tone will provide increased protection to hundreds of homes and businesses in the North Town area, as well as reduced flood risk to key infrastructure including utilities, transport routes and community facilities, and support wider regeneration objectives for Taunton town centre.
Enabling works will begin in mid-October for approximately six weeks. They include:
- Vegetation clearance on the riverbank and in the river adjacent to the former Poundstretcher store and near Clarence Street.
- Relocation of a high-voltage cable which runs through the green space adjacent to Clarence Street.
- Removal of three poplar trees from the riverbank at Clarence Street.
During the work areas will be fenced off to protect the public and works team. This will include temporary suspension of some parking bays and a small section of Clarence Street between Portland Street and Cleveland Street for two weeks from 26 October. Signs will be put up to help people navigate safely around road or footpath closures. Every effort will be made to minimise disturbance where possible.
Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Environment and Climate Change, said:
This is a vital scheme for Taunton.
We estimate that a flood event could cost the local economy up to £50 million, so it’s great to that we are now just a short step away from the start of the project proper.
The project itself has been designed to minimise tree and vegetation loss where it can – the team is going to need to do this essential clearance to ensure work can begin early next year.
We have been working with the Town Council on replacement tree planting proposals and are supporting their project to introduce wildflower areas within the Clarence Street green space.
The scheme is entirely funded by external sources, including Flood Resilience Programme and Flood Defence Grant in Aid by Defra, Department for Education, the Somerset Rivers Authority and Homes England.
You can read more about the scheme here.
