The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs gives notice under section 14(1)(b), (2A) (3A) and (3AA) of the Transport and Works Act 1992 (“the Act”) that he has determined under section 13(1) of the Act to make the Bridgwater Barrier Order (“the Order”).

The Order was applied for by the Environment Agency, (“EA”) of Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter EX2 7LQ. The Order and deemed planning permission would authorise the construction and operation of a new tidal barrier with twin vertical lift gates across the river Parrett in Bridgwater, Somerset. The Order would also authorise the construction of 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 and to execute ancillary works. The Order would confer powers on the Environment Agency to acquire, compulsorily or by agreement, land and rights in land and to use land for the purposes of the works. It would also confer other powers in connection with the construction, operation and maintenance of the works. Copies of the Order, once made, may be obtained from the Stationery Office or through booksellers.

The Secretary of State has, under section 14(1)(a) of the Act, given notice of his determination by way of a decision letter dated 19 January 2022, copies of which may be obtained from the Defra Floods Casework Team at FloodsCasework@defra.gov.uk. That letter gives the reasons for the determination and the considerations upon which it is based; information about the public participation process; and information regarding the right to challenge the validity of the determination and the procedures for doing so.

The Secretary of State confirms that, before making this determination, he considered the environmental statement provided by the applicant and all objections and other representations relating to it, and that he otherwise complied with the obligations referred to in section 14(3A) of the Act. For the purposes of section 14(3AA), he confirms that the main measures to avoid, reduce and, if possible, remedy any major adverse environmental effects are those referred to in paragraph 41 of the decision letter.

David Cooper, Deputy Director of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Team, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, 2 Marsham Street, Westminster, London, SW1P 4DF