Posted on March 19, 2019
The next stage of a flood protection scheme for the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area has been given the thumbs up by South Gloucestershire’s cabinet.
Cabinet approved the council’s financial contribution of up to £31.95m for the construction of flood defences and ecology mitigation works within the ASEA, which crosses the South Gloucestershire and City of Bristol boundary.
The second phase of the project includes the detailed design and build of the proposals.
The scheme will deliver 17km of new flood defences that will protect local communities and reduce flood risk to at least 2,500 homes and businesses, now and into the future.
It will also encourage businesses to invest in the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area, helping to support the creation of 12,000 new jobs by 2026.
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council with responsibility for economic development Cllr Toby Savage said: “Today’s decision secures this critical piece of infrastructure at one of the region’s key enterprise areas, which will have wide reaching benefits.
“This project will reduce the likelihood of flooding and disruption to 2,500 homes in and around Pilning and Severn Beach, as well as helping bring thousands of new jobs to our area. We are planting half a hectare more trees than are being removed and the new coastal wetland habitat will be one of the most important in the country.
“This work will also offer benefits for users of the coastal path, with improved access for wheelchairs and pushchairs.”
Wessex area director Nick Gupta of the Environment Agency added: “By pooling resources and working in collaboration we can build improved flood defences to better protect more than 2,500 homes and many businesses for decades to come at the same time as protecting biodiversity and the environment.”
Source: insidermedia.com
