Major £24m flood defence upgrade could begin in 2028

A major £24m upgrade of an ailing sluice gate - a structure which protects an area from flooding - could start in 2028.

Once dubbed "one of the biggest liabilities" in the South West, Chippenham's radial gate could be replaced with smaller rock weirs.

Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said replacing the gate on the River Avon is "essential to reduce the risk of flooding in the town centre", and about £20m of the £24m has already been raised.

The Environment Agency (EA) confirmed a public consultation is due this autumn on the project followed by a planning application in winter.

The structure was built in the late 1960s to reduce the risk of flooding by letting water run through if levels become too high.

In 2024, it almost had to be demolished when it became stuck, but EA workers managed to force it open before a "serious environmental incident" happened.

Andy Wallis, from the EA, said "issues with funding" caused by changes in government have delayed plans to replace the sluice gate.

Under the plan, the gate could be scrapped at Borough Parade and replaced with a series of low rock weirs.

He said: "We are intending to remove the structures that you can see here and replace them with something a lot more natural. So we're putting a nice new bridge through here but also a little rock weir a little bit further upstream."

Wallis added that if weather similar to 2024 occurs again, "the risk would be reduced" with the changes proposed to the river.

Council officials will work alongside the EA on the project. Much the funding is being generated from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), with additional funding sources being explored by Wiltshire Council, the EA and Chippenham Town Council.

Thorn added the gate was "even more important" to prioritise after the approval of the Chippenham Riverside project, which will see a new shopping centre and 225 homes built.

"Together these schemes will help unlock the full potential of the riverfront, encourage footfall and support the long-term vitality and economic resilience of the town," he said.

A spokesperson from the EA added that "detailed design" is due to happen through 2027, with work starting on site in late spring 2028, due to be completed by 2030.

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