Category: Innovation

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Innovation

New dock gates installed at Bristol Port in major boost to West of England flood defences

New dock gates closed at Bristol Port

New dock gates installed at Bristol Port in major boost to West of England flood defences

A significant milestone has been reached in the West of England’s flood defence efforts, with the installation of new, higher dock gates at Avonmouth Port.

This crucial upgrade is part of the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecological Mitigation and Flood Defence Project, a transformative initiative designed to protect the region from rising flood risks.

Once complete in 2026-27, the 17 km of flood defences will shield 2,500 homes and businesses from tidal flooding, while unlocking 12,000 new jobs across the West of England.

Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, and the Environment Agency are leading the ASEA project, contributing a total of £6.8 million towards the new gates. BPC managed the procurement and installation, engaging a specialist company in the Netherlands to manufacture the gates, which serve both navigational and flood protection purposes.

The previous gates, which were nearing the end of their operational lifespan, formed the main entrance to Avonmouth Port. The new gates have been designed to meet the latest flood defence standards, capable of withstanding a 1 in 200-year tidal flood event, with allowances for rising sea levels due to climate change.

New dock gates closed at Bristol Port

The Port was delighted to work with their established provider, Ravestein, to design, fabricate and install these gates. Meeting the specified requirements, the gates enable vessels to move in and out of the dock and provide a rigid, immovable defence against flood tides.”

John Chaplin, BPC’s Director of External Affairs and Special Projects
New dock gates open at Bristol Port.

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee at Bristol City Council, said: “In partnership with the Environment Agency and South Gloucestershire Council, we are making significant investments in flood defences at Bristol Port. These new gates, alongside the wider ASEA project, will provide robust flood protection for at least 60 years. This initiative is crucial for Bristol’s economic future, giving businesses the confidence to invest in the Enterprise Area and helping to create new jobs.”

In addition to flood protection, the ASEA project will also create over 80 hectares of wetland habitats at Northwick and Hallen, providing essential roosting sites for wildlife. This equates to an area roughly the size of 112 football pitches, supporting the region’s ecological diversity.

The ASEA project is largely funded through the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership’s Economic Development Fund, managed by the West of England Combined Authority, with additional support from Defra and the Wessex Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

When complete, the ASEA flood defences will ensure continued safety for residents and businesses, while driving economic growth and protecting the local environment.

The ASEA project team and BPC team visit the new dock gates
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Innovation

Severn Estuary flood defence and ecology project wins big at the prestigious ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards

Severn Estuary flood defence and ecology project wins big at the prestigious ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards

The Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project has won a hat-trick of accolades at the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards. The project, which provides vital flood defences and ecological enhancements from Aust in South Gloucestershire to Shirehampton in Bristol, was recognised at a gala ceremony in Bristol on 24 October.

Selected from a highly competitive field, the project won the top award of the night, the Showcase Award, as well as the Resilience Award and the People’s Choice Award, which was voted on by the public.

The ICE South West judging panel were impressed by the sympathetic design of the scheme, which they felt was built to fit into the unique landscape. They praised the engineering innovation employed across the project and the consideration given to stakeholders.

The project, which began its delivery phase in 2019 with BMMJV, is constructing 17 km of flood defences to safeguard 2,500 homes and businesses. In addition, it is creating 80 hectares of wetland habitat and improving walking routes along the Severn Estuary, while also helping to unlock 12,000 new jobs in the region.

Ursula Stevenson, Project Lead for Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are honoured to have won these three awards. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in the project. This recognition highlights our commitment to addressing both flood risk and environmental sustainability in the region.”

Tony Bajjada, Public Liaison Officer and Stakeholder Manager at contractors BMMjv, added: “We are delighted that this project, which is of immense importance to both the local community and the wider region, has been recognised. It underscores the value of collaboration and innovation in delivering technical excellence and creating a sustainable future.”

Colin Taylor, Senior Flood and Coastal Risk Management Advisor for the Environment Agency, said “We are thrilled that this project has been recognised with three prestigious awards. It is hugely pleasing the judging panel presented us with the Resilience Award and Showcase Award, and we thank the public for voting for us to win the People’s Choice Award. The Environment Agency’s National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy sets out an ambition to create climate resilient places and, through working with our partners and stakeholders, it is satisfying our contribution towards this has been acknowledged.”

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee at Bristol City Council, said: “I am exceptionally proud that our Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project has been awarded not one, but three accolades at this year’s ICE South West Awards. It’s brilliant to see a project, so grand in its scale and vision, be recognised both by a panel of experts and the general public as being genuinely good for the West of England.
“The work we’re doing here will not only protect our coastline from the looming threat of rising sea levels but will also play a key role in unlocking the vast economic potential of the region, as well as making ample space for nature to thrive.
“Winning these prestigious awards stands as a testament to the transformative work we’re carrying out and I very much look forward seeing what’s next for this amazing project.”

Councillor Louise Harris, cabinet member responsible for the climate and nature emergency at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised with three awards at the prestigious Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering event. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the highly skilled and experienced team who are delivering a sustainable and resilient future for the region.”

The project’s dual focus on ecological protection and flood resilience has made it a standout achievement in the South West, addressing critical infrastructure needs while benefiting local wildlife and the community.

To find out more about this year’s ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards, visit their website.

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Innovation

Celebrating community and conservation: Bristol politicians visit the Lamplighter’s Marsh mural

Celebrating community and conservation: Bristol politicians visit the Lamplighter’s Marsh mural

Last Friday, we had the privilege of welcoming Darren Jones MP, the Member of Parliament for Bristol North West, and Councillor Jenny Bartle, Vice-Chair of the Bristol City Council Economy and Skills Policy Committee, to visit the newly unveiled Lamplighter’s Marsh mural.

The mural, a collaborative effort between the ASEA project team, artists from Graft and volunteers from Friends of Lamplighter’s Marsh, was presented to Darren and Jenny, with the team there to explain its significance. The artwork reflects the Lamplighter’s Marsh community’s deep connection to local wildlife and helps residents engage with the surrounding natural environment. Funding for the community mural came from Bristol City Council through a Section 106 contribution associated with the Portway Park & Ride development, with supplies donated by BAM.

Accompanied by Bristol City Council officers, the project team highlighted how the mural serves as a celebration of local species and vibrant reminder of the vital role that every individual plays in protecting local nature.

During the visit, Darren and Jenny were also briefed on progress of the wider ASEA project and other crucial flood resilience work happening across Bristol, including the Bristol Avon Flood Strategy, a long-term initiative aimed at managing the city’s flood risks.

We were thrilled to showcase the Lamplighter’s Marsh mural to these key Bristol politicians, marking an important milestone in both the ASEA project, as we near completion on construction of the Avonmouth section of flood defences, and our efforts to enhance the natural spaces that mean so much to the community.”

Colin Taylor, Senior Flood & Coastal Risk Management Advisor at the Environment Agency
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Innovation

Handover of new Severn Estuary wetland habitats marks major milestone in flood defence project

New Wetlands at Hallen Marsh, Bristol

Handover of new Severn Estuary wetland habitats marks major milestone in flood defence project

A flood defence project at the Severn Estuary has reached a significant milestone with the official handover of the newly created wetlands at Hallen Marsh in Bristol and Aust in South Gloucestershire.

The construction team on the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project has officially given back the two sites to their owners, Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council, although some landscaping work will continue in 2025.

The wetlands initiative is part of a broader effort to balance economic development with making space for nature along the Severn Estuary, an area internationally designated for significant populations of wildfowl and wading birds.

The Severn Estuary’s expansive mudflats, salt marshes, and coastal floodplains are vital feeding, migration and wintering grounds for numerous species of waterbirds. Over recent decades, development within the ASEA and its surrounding coastal floodplain has reduced the habitat available for these wetland birds, particularly at high tide when they roost and feed on areas of greenfield land adjacent to the Estuary. To address this, the ASEA project has delivered a mitigation strategy to enhance agricultural land for wetland birds and compensate for new development in Avonmouth and Severnside.

New wetlands at Aust, South Gloucestershire
New Wetlands at Hallen Marsh, Bristol

As part of this strategy, the project team has created over 80 hectares of new wetland habitat, the equivalent of 112 football pitches. These areas are designed to support a range of wildlife, in addition to providing crucial ‘high-tide roosts’ for birds using the Severn Estuary.

The newly developed Hallen Marsh and Aust wetlands are tailored to attract a variety of waders and ducks, including shelducks, gadwalls, dunlins, redshanks, wigeons, teals, pintails, and curlews. The wetlands also provide a home for water voles, newts, barn owls, kestrel and other species. In addition to the wetlands, hundreds of native trees and shrubs have been planted to enhance the environment further, promising long-term ecological benefits.

The creation of the Hallen Marsh and Aust wetlands is a testament to our commitment to the biodiversity of the Severn Estuary while supporting sustainable development within ASEA. This new habitat not only provides crucial support for bird populations but also enriches the local environment for future generations."

Ursula Stevenson, project lead for Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council

I would like to thank the ASEA project team for all their hard work in creating the Hallen Marsh wetland. Their work on the wetland has been fundamental in delivering nature recovery in the area and has ensured that our vitally important wetland bird populations have an environment in which to flourish and grow.
"We will ensure that the great work by the ASEA project team is continued, and the wetland is maintained to further support nature recovery and all of the current and future wildlife that lives at Hallen Marsh.”

Councillor Andrew Brown, Chair of the Economy and Skills Committee at Bristol City Council

I’m delighted to see this work completed and the newly created wetlands handed over to the local authorities. The new wetlands balance the human impact on the area and provide a thriving environment for nature and the many species of waterbirds attracted to it. As guardians of the Aust wetland, the council will ensure the area remains protected as a vitally important habitat.”

Councillor Louise Harris, cabinet member responsible for the climate and nature emergency at South Gloucestershire Council

While the wetlands are not open to the public, to protect wildlife and prevent wetland and ground-nesting birds from being disturbed, they can be viewed from public rights of way crossing the sites. The project team encourage people to stick to these footpaths and always keep dogs on leads.  

Wildlife at Aust wetlands
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Innovation

Safeguarding success: St. Modwen Logistics and the ASEA Ecology Mitigation Flood Defence Project

Safeguarding success: St. Modwen Logistics and the ASEA Ecology Mitigation Flood Defence Project

One of the major businesses operating within the industrial and logistical hub of the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) is St. Modwen Logistics, a powerhouse in sustainable warehousing solutions.

St. Modwen Logistics is one of the UK’s most active developers of speculative logistics buildings. With a thirty-year heritage of developing complex sites, they currently own and manage a portfolio of more than 17 million sq. ft across the country.

For two decades, the company has been providing infrastructure and employment opportunities to the Avonmouth area. The latest phase of St. Modwen Park Access 18 was completed in May 2023, and a further 215,000 sq. ft of state-of-the-art warehouse space is to start on site through 2024.

We spoke to St. Modwen Logistics to find out how the flood defence project is helping future-proof their warehouses and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

Why Avonmouth Severnside?

St. Modwen Logistics’ decision to establish roots in the ASEA was strategic. As Carys Allen, Senior Development Manager, explains, “The ASEA is Bristol’s premium industrial and logistics hub and plays a key role in the St. Modwen Logistics portfolio.”

The area’s connectivity, in part thanks to its proximity to the M5 and M49 motorways, makes it an ideal location for logistics businesses seeking efficient transportation links. Furthermore, the availability of land presents ample possibilities for development, a fact that St. Modwen Logistics has capitalised on by delivering over 1 million sq. ft of modern warehousing space in the area since they began working here.

A commitment to sustainability

Central to St. Modwen Logistics’ ethos is the development of sustainable infrastructure. Their warehouses aren’t just buildings, they’re best-in-class and expertly designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising efficiency for their clients.

From small businesses to large e-commerce giants, St. Modwen Logistics tailors solutions to accommodate a diverse array of clients, ensuring that each tenant finds the perfect space to support their operations. 

Our customers make modern life possible, and we provide the perfect space they need to service their own customers in a timely fashion."

Carys Allen
St. Modwen Park Access 18 Avonmouth

Looking to the future

St. Modwen Logistics employs approximately 175 individuals directly, yet their impact extends far beyond their immediate workforce. The Park employs thousands of people across the various businesses which occupy it, supporting a thriving local economy. As they increase the size of their portfolio nationally, their sites across the South West will play a key role in this, including at Avonmouth. However, amidst ambitions lies a crucial consideration: resilience. Enter the Avonmouth Severnside Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project.

For St. Modwen Logistics, the flood defence project is a critical component of their development strategy. By protecting their infrastructure against flooding, they offer clients peace of mind, assuring them that their logistics operations are secure even in the face of a warming climate. Moreover, it’s a boon for the region, attracting new businesses and fostering economic growth.

Explaining the benefits of the flood defence project, Carys says, “Our customers can locate their business at our Access 18 site safe in the knowledge that precautions have been taken to protect their operations from the risk of flooding, and this comes with obvious economic benefits to the region, as well as ensuring a supply of jobs for residents.” She continues, “Thanks to this work, we can offer businesses peace of mind, which is helpful when trying to attract new companies to the area and encourage further growth.”

St. Modwen Logistics’ journey in the ASEA demonstrates the critical relationship between coastal infrastructure and regional prosperity. As they continue to expand their footprint, they do so with a keen eye on sustainability and resilience, ensuring that their legacy endures for generations to come.

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Innovation

ASEA project shortlisted for Flood and Coast Excellence Award

ASEA project shortlisted for Flood and Coast Excellence Award

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Flood and Coast Excellence Awards 2024 as a finalist in the Climate Resilient Places category.

The award recognises major flood and coastal risk management projects that improve place-based resilience to flooding and coastal change in a changing climate.

The winners will be announced at the awards dinner at the Telford International Centre on 5 June 2024. Wish us luck!

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Innovation

Bristol City Council cabinet members visit ASEA Flood Defence Project

Bristol City Council cabinet members visit ASEA Flood Defence Project

On Friday 15 March, we welcomed Bristol City Council cabinet members on a tour of the Bristol City

Council section of the ASEA project. They had the chance to see the progress we’ve made on installing flood defences at Avonmouth Docks and Lamplighter’s Marsh, and creating a new coastal wetland area at Hallen Marsh.

We were delighted to show Councillor Marley Bennett, Cabinet Member for Waste, Climate and Ecology and Councillor Don Alexander, Cabinet Member for Transport and Ward Member for Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston, how habitats for a diverse range of wildlife species are securing the long-term future of one of the country’s most important environments for wading birds.

Now that most of the works to introduce the new flood defences have been delivered, the focus is now on continuing efforts to develop the Hallen Marsh wetland environment and hand the site over to the Council to manage. Future works here will focus on maintaining wetland habitat to give the birds the roosting and foraging habitat they need, particularly when the high tide has covered the mud flats where they feed.

Ursula Stevenson, project lead, said: “We’re delighted that local leaders visited the new wetlands we have created, which enhance our natural environment and provide wildlife with space to thrive in the Avonmouth and Severnside Enterprise Area. It was fantastic that the councillors saw how many bird species are thriving at this new habitat, and they were excited to see how the wetlands develop over years to come.”
Councillor Marley Bennett said: “Through our ecological emergency work, we’re committed to enhancing our natural environment while also improving the environment for people to enjoy, so I’m delighted to see the new wetlands created at Hallen Marsh begin to flourish.”

 

Our ecological work across the ASEA project doesn’t stop there. Water voles were released into Hallen Marsh in 2023 to make the most of the ditches and vegetation that provide them with the perfect habitat to thrive. The project has also provided a replacement otter holt to allow otters to continue to use an established commuting route. Over one hundred bat boxes are being installed across the project area, along with two barn owl nest boxes. One of these barn owl boxes has already been used to successfully raise three chicks.

This project is an example of how a balance between managing the impacts of climate change, sustainable growth and making space for nature can benefit all.

It was fantastic that the councillors saw how many bird species are thriving at this new habitat"

Ursula Stevenson
Councillors visit the new wetlands at Hallen Marsh
Councillors visit the defences built at Lamplighter’s Marsh
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Innovation

Walking at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge

Waling in Northick Warth

Innovation

We’re welcoming walkers and birdwatchers back to Northwick Warth between Cake Pill and New Passage over the winter whilst works in the area are reduced.

The waterbird refuge at this location provides a haven for a range of species of ducks, geese, swans, and wading birds such as dunlin and curlew. The Severn Estuary is particularly valuable because it attracts many wintering and passage water birds thanks to a large amount of easily available food, like worms and molluscs. These visiting birds also come here because they need regular access to a network of secure and undisturbed roosts and feeding places. 

That’s why we’re asking walkers at Northwick Warth to do their bit to minimise disturbance to birds when they visit, by only using our specially designed mid-level path along the King Charles III England Coast Path. The public are not permitted to use the higher-level maintenance track on the crest of the bank. 

Natural England has recently installed signs along this area of the ASEA project to remind walkers to use the mid-level path, which has been designed to give them views of the estuary and help hide them from birds which make the salt marsh their home. 

Walkers who use the maintenance path along the top of the route will cause more disturbance to these important bird species which are critical to supporting the continued biodiversity of the estuary. 

We hope that all visitors enjoy the fantastic array of wildlife in the area over the coming months. 

Please be aware that the path may be closed again this year to allow the construction of a v-ditch along the route when weather conditions allow it, and the section near Pilning Wetlands may also have to be closed when we complete works in this area.

Waling in Northick Warth
Map showing location of the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Map showing location of the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Signage for users of the path at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Signage for users of the path at the Northwick Warth waterbird refuge
Birdwatchers using the specially designed mid-level path at Pilning
Birdwatchers using the specially designed mid-level path at Pilning
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Innovation

ASEA project shortlisted for Local Government Chronicle Award

ASEA project shortlisted for Local Government Chronicle Award

We are very excited to be shortlisted for this year’s Local Government Chronicle Awards in the Climate Response category.

This category is intended to mark excellence in any aspect of a council’s work in addressing the carbon footprint of the council, its services and its broader local area. As a landmark partnership between South Gloucestershire Council, Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency, the project is a strong contender for this category, as it seeks to protect the local communities and wildlife from existing flood risk.

Project Lead South Gloucestershire Council and Bristol City Council, Ursula Stevenson, said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for this award, which is a wonderful reminder of the continued efforts of everyone at ASEA who are working to deliver new and improved flood defences. We are looking forward to the ceremony in the summer and wish the best of luck to everyone attending.”

Councillor Nicola Beech, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Strategic Planning, Resilience and Floods, said: “Being shortlisted for this award is a great accolade for Bristol and the hard work of the council and partners. Protecting residents and businesses from flooding, and preserving and enhancing our natural environment, is important as the risk of climate change is increasing. On behalf of the council, I’d like to wish the project team and partners the very best of luck at the award ceremony in June.”

LGC editor Sarah Calkin, said: “The LGC awards seeks to recognise and celebrate the absolute best in local government, and as this year’s shortlist shows there is no shortage of new ideas and fresh thinking across the whole host of council services. A massive congratulations to everyone on the shortlist, making it this far is a huge achievement in itself.”

A full list of the shortlists can be found here. The winners will be announced at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House Hotel, in London on 8 June 2023.

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Innovation

ASEA project welcomes local planning group for special site visit

ASEA project welcomes local planning group for special site visit

Last month the ASEA project team hosted a site tour for The Avonmouth Planning Group, as part of the team’s ambition to involve the local community. Once complete, the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area Ecology Mitigation and Flood Defence Project (ASEA) will deliver 17km of flood defences from Aust in South Gloucestershire to Shirehampton in Bristol.

The team took the group on a minibus tour of the site, stopping to see the progress of the work and its benefits in the area.

The tour took visited the Bristol Port, along the River Avon Road, to see the precast flood defence wall and sheet piled flood defence wall, the flood defence at Severn Beach and outfall structure at Cake Pill. More information on the flood defences being constructed can be found here.

Tony Bajjada, ASEA Public Liaison Officer and Stakeholder Manager from contractors BMMJV, said: “Hosting the Avonmouth Planning Group at our site was a fantastic chance to show them how work here has progressed. Our work aims to protect the local community from risk of flooding and we really value actively engaging with local communities to share our work milestones and achievements.”

Christine Chard, Avonmouth Planning Group member, said: “We want to say thank you to everyone involved in our tour of the flood defence work, which was very informative and showed the extent of work both visible and invisible that is involved.”

The day was a great success and the team would like to thank to thank the Avonmouth Planning Group for attending, as well as the Bristol Port for their involvement, cooperation and help in coordinating the visit.