Bath & North East Somerset Council is undertaking the next phase of works to transform the riverside in Bath as part of its flood mitigation works.
The Bath Quays Waterside project, which started in 2016, involves flood mitigation and defence works to the north and south banks of the River Avon, between Churchill Bridge and Midland Bridge.
Once completed, the project will reduce flood risk for more than 100 existing residential and commercial properties and enable the development of Bath Quays, a new office and creative quarter.
Following on from the completion of the new south facing park late last year, the next phase of flood defence work has begun, to remove trees and vegetation on the south side of the river adjacent to Bath Quays South (Newark Works) site, in preparation for completing the flood defence wall and lowering the river bank along this section.
New trees and planting will ultimately be introduced, completing the council’s programme to introduce more than 150 new trees to the river corridor at Bath Quays.
In addition, ecological enhancements will be incorporated including a new bat roost and an otter holt.
Councillor Paul Myers, (Conservative Midsomer Norton Redfield) cabinet member for Economic & Community Regeneration, said: “The regeneration of this area will bring a wide range of benefits to the economy and the ecology of this area.
“Together with additional tree planting on the south bank, this will improve the long term resilience of the riverside ecology and reinforce the presence of the River Avon as a wildlife corridor in the heart of Bath.
“Through these improvements the riverside has not only become a new destination in the city centre, it also provides a distinctive place for relaxed sitting, strolling and observing nature right in the heart of the city.”
The completion of the flood defence along the south edge of the river, will be undertaken as part of the Bath Quays South development scheme which is envisaged to commence in the spring.
