Further information
More information about funding for the project
In 2020, a government policy statement on flooding and coastal erosion was published, which sets out the government's long-term ambition to create a nation more resilient to future flood and coastal erosion risk. To help work towards this, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) created a £200m flood and coastal resilience innovation programme (FCRIP).
In 2022, Bristol City Council, along with its partners South Gloucestershire Council, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency were successful in obtaining £6 million in grant funding to deliver the Resilient Frome project. The Resilient Frome project focuses on innovative ways to manage flood risk across the whole of the Frome catchment, from the source in South Gloucestershire through to central Bristol.
How this project links in with the wider Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework
This project is closely linked to the vision for regeneration of the St Jude’s area which is set out in the Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework.
The Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework, which was endorsed in 2024, is being used to guide the delivery of thousands of new homes as well as workspaces, community facilities and public spaces to better meet the needs of the local community and the city. The Regeneration Framework is available on the council’s website here. The Regeneration Framework recognises that the River Frome and Riverside Park are valuable natural assets but notes that there is huge potential to further improve both the river and the park so that they can contribute more to public enjoyment, wildlife and climate resilience.
Why improvements to the river and park are coming forward, when there are lots of other priorities in this area
The Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework aims for the river and the park to be a focal point around which new housing and employment development is focussed. Creating an attractive setting for the regeneration area is therefore very important.
The improvements proposed as part of this project works are being funded by the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as part of the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme. The funding is for enhancements that will make the local area more resilient to the effects of flooding and climate change. This is a fantastic opportunity to deliver real improvements to the river and the park as one of the first phases of the Frome Gateway Regeneration vision.
Why money being spent on these improvements when the council must make cost savings elsewhere
This money available through the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme is allocated specifically for improvements to the River Frome and to tackle climate resilience and nature recovery. It cannot be spent on other council priorities therefore this project is not taking away from other spending needs.
How we will ensure these proposals will result in a better overall environment (especially when some trees have to be removed)
An important aim of this project is to deliver overall improvements for nature and biodiversity. The project will create new areas of planting and will introduce more variety of planting into the river corridor and the park, which will provide more habitat for wildlife. The designs have been carefully drawn up to minimise impact to existing trees. However, we may still need to remove some trees, fewer than five. These will be replaced in line with the council’s tree guidance. Overall, there will be more trees, and a greater mix of tree types once this work is complete.
How we will ensure the new spaces, plants and seating areas will be well maintained
Bristol City Council will continue to be responsible for maintaining the park. New areas of planting and seating will be carefully planned and designed to ensure these can be appropriately maintained into the future.
How we will ensure the new public spaces don’t encourage or attract anti-social behaviour
By creating an overall improved park, we expect we will see more people using it. The aim is to create a space which benefits from more footfall and natural surveillance, and this should help to make the park feel safer and discourage anti-social behaviour. As part of the improvements, we propose to install new lighting which will also help.
How the proposed improvements will be accessible to all
The proposed designs for the park aim to be accessible to everyone. By lowering the wall and replacing this with railings more people will be able to see down to the river. Importantly, we will ensure new paths and seating areas are accessible to people in wheelchairs and with buggies. We have been working with the West of England Centre for Inclusive Living (WECIL), a user-led organisation to ensure our designs meet the needs of disabled people and we will continue to seek their advice as this project progresses.
New wildlife and fauna the new habitats could help to support
We aim to plant new flowering and pollinator plants within the park. Along the river corridor, we aim to plant more greenery along the river edges to help provide a more natural connection between the river and the riverbank. This will create additional habitat for invertebrates and terrestrial species.
How it will remain safe along the riverside if we are going to remove the wall
The existing high wall means that many people can’t see down to the river. A key aim of this project is to lower the wall so that the river can be seen and enjoyed so it feels like part of the park. The wall would be replaced with railings. As shown in the visualisations provided this would be designed so that people cannot access the river and to meet relevant safety standards.
How these improvements will help with flooding
By opening up / widening the river channel for the seating terrace, additional space for water is created by enlarging the river channel. The seating terrace will also provide an opportunity to improve access into the river for maintenance operatives. This will enhance the maintenance programme for this section of the river into the future. Furthermore, replacing the stone wall with new railings will remove the risk of potential future blockages to the river channel and downstream culvert from the stone wall.