MP urges action on River Avon project

The “near catastrophic” failure of Chippenham’s ageing sluice gate three years ago has become ammunition in the fight for millions of pounds of government cash to transform land around the River Avon.

Chippenham’s MP Sarah Gibson seized the opportunity of a Prime Ministerial visit to the town last week to make a personal pitch for government backing for its long-awaited River Avon transformation.

The future of the £24 million Chippenham Avon Project was raised directly with the Prime Minister during last week’s visit to Siemens’ new £100 million facility, as the MP pushed the case for investment in the infrastructure needed to support the town’s growth.

At the project’s heart is Chippenham’s ageing radial sluice gate, installed during major alterations to the River Avon in the 1960s, which is becoming increasingly unreliable.

In October 2023, just days before Storm Ciaran hit, a huge tree stump became lodged beneath the sluice gate leaving it stuck partly open.

Water levels upstream dropped and Environment Agency teams worked through the weekend and nights to clear it.

As heavy rain arrived and Storm Ciaran approached, the situation became an emergency because the malfunctioning gate risked increasing town centre flooding.

Officials reportedly came close to demolishing the gate to remove the obstruction, but on October 31 engineers managed to flush out the debris and return the gate to full automatic operation.

The incident was subsequently described as “near catastrophic” by the Environment Agency.

Plans first published in April 2024 would see the sluice gate replaced by two rock weirs designed to reduce flood risk while allowing the river to function more naturally.

But the scheme has grown into far more than a flood-protection project.

Proposals include environmental improvements, better habitats for fish and wildlife and a more attractive riverside, alongside improved walking and cycling routes and recreational facilities.

The scheme also has major economic benefits. Improving the river corridor is intended to help unlock town-centre regeneration and land for development, while strengthening links between the railway station, education facilities and employment sites.

Wiltshire Council last year increased its contribution to £1.8 million, providing the 10 per cent local match funding required to potentially unlock up to £16.2 million from Defra towards essential flood-risk work. Around another £6 million is being sought for the wider scheme.

But that core government funding has yet to be approved.

The Liberal Democrat MP says competing national projects have been prioritised, leaving the final business case and subsequent major funding decisions pushed back until at least the end of 2027.

Following the face-to-face discussion, the MP has now written to the Prime Minister to drive home the case, arguing that Siemens’ £100 million investment shows private-sector confidence in Chippenham.

She has warned the PM that delays could also hold back developments including the consented Emery Gate redevelopment, capable of delivering around 225 homes and 4,000 square metres of commercial space.

“Private investors have demonstrated confidence in Chippenham’s future. Public infrastructure now needs to keep pace with that ambition,” the MP told the prime minister.

“The River Avon Project would help ensure that the benefits of major investment are felt throughout the town by improving connectivity between education facilities, transport hubs, employment sites and future development opportunities.”