Issue - meetings

This report covers two issues, the first is the draft WaterSpace Study which is currently being finalised for public consultation which the Panel are asked to comment on. The second is an update on the Strategic Flood Management project in Bath, specifically the proposal to focus efforts to secure investment to replace/refurbish Bath’s city water level control gates at Twerton & Pulteney.

Tim Hewitt, Regeneration Team Manager, gave a presentation on the Strategic Flood Project a joint project to prioritise funding bids and develop a business case to replace or refurbish Bath’s water level control gates at Twerton and Pulteney.  He explained there was partnership between BANES and the Environment Agency (EA).  The gates needed investment to avoid future failure putting 500 properties at risk.

He gave a detailed explanation of the different proposals and recommended option 2 as it had the biggest benefit within a cost which could be achieved through grant funding without significant Council support.  It would maintain the current performance of Twerton gate, and enable some improvements to the Pulteney gate.  This option did not preclude further works in the future should funding become available.

Councillor Fiona Darey asked what the timescale for the programme was?  Deborah Steadman (EA) stated that the business case would be next year with a solution in approximately two years, depending on which option there would need to be public engagement and a cost assessment nearer the time.

Councillor Cherry Beath asked about the extent of the aesthetic improvements to Pulteney as part of the work?  Tim Hewitt said that Pulteney Bridge was Grade 1 listed along with the buildings and the Radial Gate could do with some work to help improve the surroundings and the public realm.  He indicated there was the potential for redevelopment of the rugby ground at the same time as large machinery would be needed for the work and combining the two might be sensible.

Councillor Colin Blackburn asked about the gate condition survey results?  Ed Lockington (EA) stated that the results of the condition assessment were not yet available so the exact issues were not yet known.  The results of diving and samples taken to assess the condition would be known by the end of the month.  Dr David Dunlop asked about the funding if the UK was still in Europe. 

Councillor Barry Macrae queried the logic in looking at this when realistically money was tight?  He said the priority was lives not the buildings.  Councillor Fiona Darey followed by asking if the gate failed now could there be an immediate solution?  Ed Lockington (EA) replied that there are contingencies in place and emergency works would require a large crane.  Councillor David Veale said that with tons of water coming down it would seem to be more urgent and followed by talking about Italy and the recent earthquakes where there were so many unknowns?  Ed Lockington responded again that it was a high priority and the EA was looking at the optimum way forward.  With the condition survey results ready at the end of the month we should find out if it was more or less urgent.  Bath had a good level of flood alleviation in place which was why there was no more frequent flooding.  He believed the baseline position was good but further assessment was needed and he acknowledged there were not huge amounts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56