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ASEA Flood defence newsletter
20 May 2021

Progress update
 

Joint message from the lead project partners

We’re excited to share news with you on the tremendous progress being made so far this year on the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project, the biggest of its type in the West of England. The project covers an extensive area, stretching from Aust in the north to Lamplighters Marsh in the south. 

When the project is complete in 2026/27 we will have: 
  • Provided around a 17km length of flood defence, reducing flood risk to 2,500 homes and businesses 
  • Helped to unlock 12,000 new jobs for the West of England 
  • Created a minimum of 80 hectares of new wetland habitats for internationally important bird species   
  • Created improved walking routes, making it easier for everyone to enjoy nature and the spectacular views of the Severn Estuary. 
We welcome your feedback. Let us know, too, if there is a future topic that you would like covered in this e-newsletter. 

Marvin Rees

Mayor of Bristol




Dan Norris
West of England Mayor

Cllr Toby Savage

Leader of South
Gloucestershire Council 




Emma Baker
Area Director
Environment Agency 

Progress update

Above: Installation of concrete flood defence wall at Aust Wharf Road 
Since the beginning of the year, and despite the challenges of Covid-19, we have made substantial progress.  

Delivering flood protection

In the north of the project area, we are installing a flood defence wall at Aust Wharf Road and expect to complete this work by this winter. We have installed a new filter drainage system at Passage Road and are constructing ramps to cross the road. Improvements to existing earth embankment flood defences are in progress from Passage Road to New Passage and will be completed in autumn 2022. We are also working at Cake Pill outfall to raise the structure and expect to complete this section of work in the summer.
Above: Raising the outfall structure at Cake Pill 
Above: Ongoing flood defence work at Severn Beach North 
Wetland progress 
Above: A curlew typical of those found in the Severn Estuary
A vital element of the project is the creation of new and sustainable wetland habitats to protect and secure the future of the internationally important bird species who make their homes on the Severn Estuary. Work is in progress and, by the end of the year, we will have created wetlands at both Northwick and Hallen Marsh. We are constructing new ponds, areas of shallow water, and ‘high-tide roosts’ for birds. 

Footpaths: temporary closure 

So that we can construct the new flood defence walls and ramps, sections of the Severn Way footpath between Aust and Chittening are temporarily closed. There will be a phased reopening of the footpath to allow completed sections to be reopened as works progress. The finished project will include footpath improvements.

Project partners Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, the Environment Agency and the West of England Combined Authority have worked together to ensure that other footpaths remain open to provide alternative routes. A map with full details of the diversions and closures is available here

Engaging with the community


Over the last few months, we have engaged with local communities in the areas in which this important work is taking place. We have met with members of local parish councils at the online meetings and provided an overview of the scheme. Parish councillors and others had the opportunity to express any concerns and provide their thoughts on the ongoing works.  

To engage further, we are setting up a Community Forum to provide a channel of communication between our project team and representatives of resident, business and community groups. We’ll also be launching a new Environment and Economic Forum to provide an opportunity for major employers and other organisations in the area to engage further in the project. Details will be available shortly. 

Our new website


We will be launching a new, dedicated ASEA project website shortly. This will have all the most up-to-date news on project progress as well as other information, and general details such as the ecological, economic and flood defence benefits that will be realised when the project is complete. We’ll keep you posted in our next newsletter. In the meantime, please visit our existing website here.

Unlocking future economic growth


A key purpose of the flood defences is to enable the mix of industrial and former industrial areas and vacant sites in ASEA to become viable for commercial development and generate 12,000 new jobs by 2026. You can find out more about this potential opportunity in our short video.

Contact us  


Tony Bajjada is the Public Liaison Officer for the Project. Tony is based on site to address any queries about the project for stakeholders, residents and members of the public. Contact Tony at ASEA.PLO@BAMNuttall.co.uk 
 
Visit the ASEA Flood Defence webpage
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