Kier has been appointed to improve the flood resilience of Chard Reservoir in Somerset. The £831,000 project is set to protect both the popular wildlife reserve and nearby homes.
This contract is the first in England, Wales and Northern Ireland awarded via the public sector SCAPE Utilities Works & Services framework, which is designed to help clients progress vital utilities projects through to market more quickly and efficiently. Kier was appointed to the framework last year.
The Group’s Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks business division will undertake the mandatory safety works, which are due to start in Spring 2025.
The construction works will include reinforcements to the reservoir stilling basin, a new crest wall and landscaping improvements.
Built in the 1840s as water storage for the Chard Canal, the disused reservoir is now a popular nature reserve with wildflower meadows, woodland and an expanse of open water a 15-minute walk from Chard town centre.
"Having worked on a variety of projects in Somerset before, we know how important this green space is to the community. We’re looking forward to applying our technical skills and significant experience building flood resilience and habitat schemes to help protect this important amenity for generations to come."
Hannah Ritter, SCAPE Framework Lead for Kier Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks
"Using a procurement framework designed for public sector organisations means that as well as delivering the essential flood defence works to help to protect communities, we’re confident that we will be getting access to specialists from Kier with a proven track record of delivering flood prevention works."
Councillor Graham Oakes, Executive Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment, Somerset Council
An independent safety audit identified the need for the works that are a legal requirement under the Reservoirs Safety Act. Somerset Rivers Authority has been involved in funding significant elements of the scheme to increase the reservoir’s emergency capacity.
"SRA involvement in this scheme means it’s about more than warding off dam failure. Because the SRA’s core purpose is to reduce the risks and impacts of flooding, the SRA is funding a substantial level of extra work to increase the reservoir’s emergency capacity. This will decrease flood risks to nearly 1,000 properties and it will benefit a wide area from Chard down to Muchelney. For example, being able to hold back more water before it gets to the River Isle should help to reduce flooding of the A358 at Donyatt, which happened several times in 2023. So, I welcome this extra work happening soon."
Cllr Mike Stanton, Chair of Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA)
For further information about the project visit:
www.somerset.gov.uk/locations/chard-reservoir-local-nature-reserve/