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New dock gates at Bristol Port designed to boost West of England flood defences

New dock gates at Bristol Port designed to boost West of England flood defences


New custom-made dock gates at Avonmouth Port will boost West of England flood defence efforts.

The upgrade is part of the Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area (ASEA) ecological mitigation and flood defence project, designed to protect the region from growing flood risks.

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

Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council and the Environment Agency are leading the ASEA project and contributing £6.8 million towards the new gates.

The Bristol Port Company (BPC) managed the procurement and installation, using a specialist company in the Netherlands to manufacture the gates, which serve navigational and flood protection purposes.

The previous gates, which were nearing the end of their life, formed the main entrance to Avonmouth Port.

The new gates are designed to meet latest flood defence standards, capable of withstanding a one in 200-year tidal flood event, with allowances for rising sea levels due to climate change.

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.”

BPC Director of External Affairs and Special Projects John Chaplin said: “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.”

The ASEA project will also create more than 80 hectares of wetland habitats at Northwick and Hallen, providing roosting sites for wildlife – that equates to an area roughly the size of 112 football pitches.

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



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