TRANSPORT AND WORKS ACT 1992

THE TRANSPORT AND WORKS (APPLICATIONS AND OBJECTIONS PROCEDURE) (ENGLAND AND WALES) RULES 2006 — RULE 14(1)

PROPOSED BRIDGWATER TIDAL BARRIER ORDER

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER

The Environment Agency (“the Agency”) of Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4YS has applied to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under section 6 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 for the above-mentioned Order to be made under sections 3(1)(b) and 5 of that Act.

The proposed Order, if made, would authorise the Agency to construct and operate a new tidal barrier with twin vertical lift gates across the river Parrett in Bridgwater, Somerset, together with a new building to enable operation of the new barrier, reinforcement of existing and construction of new flood defence embankments at Chilton Trinity, Pawlett and Combwich, fish and eel passage improvements on the rivers Yeo (at Ablake Weir, Long Load Sluice and Witcombe Bottom Tilting Weir), Parrett (at Ham Weir, Monk’s Leaze Clyse and Thorney Mill Sluices), and Isle (at Midelney Pumping Station) in South Somerset and the river Tone (at Bishop’s Hull Gauging Station, Bradford-on-Tone Weir, Firepool Weir, French Weir and Longaller Weir) in Somerset West and Taunton and to execute ancillary works.

The proposed Order would authorise the compulsory acquisition and the temporary use of land and confers other powers in connection with the construction, operation and maintenance of the works. The Order would also confer powers to alter, stop up and divert existing paths and streets.

The Order application is to be made subject to an environmental impact assessment.

The Order application contains a statement that a direction for deemed planning permission is being applied for in relation to the development that would be authorised by the Order.

Any objections to, or other representations about, the proposals in the application should be sent to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, c/o Bridgwater Barrier TWAO Team, Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Seacole Block, 3rd Floor – SW Quadrant, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF (FloodsCasework@defra.gov.uk) on or before Thursday 13 February 2020.

An objection or representation MUST (i) be received by the Secretary of State on or before Thursday 13 February 2020, (ii) be made in writing (whether sent by post or e-mail), (iii) state the grounds of the objection or representation, (iv) indicate who is making the objection or representation, and (v) give an address to which correspondence relating to the objection or representation may be sent. (If you are sending your objection or other representation by e-mail, please provide a postal address).

The Secretary of State may make complete copies of any objections or other representations public, including any personal information contained in them, and will copy them to the Agency as the applicant for the Order.

BDB Pitmans LLP

Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents acting for the Agency

50 Broadway, London SW1H 0BL

20 December 2019