Wednesday 27th August 2025
When the rains come down...
With the Environment Agency warning of increased flood risks, we’re investing in extensive flood defence measures to help safeguard Bridgemead, our care home in Bath
The peaceful riverside views are one of the big draws at Bridgemead, situated as it is on a bend of the River Avon in the leafy Bathwick area of Bath. For the most part, the water glides gently by, sheltered by trees and bushes on the riverbanks. In the summer months especially, the river teems with life, with kingfishers and dippers frequenting these parts and the air abuzz with dragonflies. Occasionally, a pleasure boat passes, with waves exchanged between passengers on the top deck and those living at Bridgemead.
However, there’s one downside that comes with having a home with such a wonderful riverside location – the risk of rising waters. With the home fulfilling an important role as a Christian provider of care in Bath, we’re concerned to address the issue as quickly as possible through our Growth and Renewal Programme.
The city of Bath has long grappled with flooding. Before the floodgates were built in the early 1970s, the river would regularly burst its banks, notably during the ‘great floods’ of 1968 and 1969. Archive photos show the city centre and recreation ground deluged and locals negotiating the streets in rowing boats.
A host of geographical factors make the city vulnerable. The River Avon has a relatively small capacity and flows through a narrow valley, making it prone to overflow during heavy rains. Bath is also situated in a bowl-like valley surrounded by hills and so rain runs down quickly into the river and drainage system, compounding the problem.
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Such factors were considered when Bridgemead care home was conceived and commissioned by Bridge Care, a charity set up by the local Widcombe Baptist Church. The building was constructed in line with guidance available at the time, opening its doors in 1992. Since then, however, understanding of flooding and river dynamics has developed significantly, allowing for more accurate prediction of river levels. External factors have also shifted. Urban development has reduced the amount of water that can soak naturally into the ground, increasing surface run-off. Climate change has meant a greater frequency of storms and heavy rainfall. All this has led to an increase in the flood risk rating issued by the Environment Agency.
In December 2013 a flood event raised significant concerns as water levels came within 130mm of Level 0. In response, the trustees of Bridge Care commissioned a site analysis by SRA Architects who came up with a Flood Resilience Project plan. In October 2024 Pilgrims’ Friend Society took on the ownership of Bridgemead with a commitment to ensuring the necessary flood protection works were put in place. As well as a shared Christian ethos, one reason the trustees of Bridge Care asked us to take ownership of the home was due to the expertise of our property team and the ability of our organisation to manage such ambitious construction projects.
Rising waters in the heavy rains of January 2025 highlighted the need for defence works to be implemented urgently, with some ingress to the lift shaft at the lowest level of the home.
In March 2025 the scaffolding went up and the works got underway to create a “cocoon” of protection around the existing building. The main components are as follows:
• To the western perimeter of the home (the side facing the river), a glazed balustrade is being added to increase flood protection by a further 1100mm. A transparent barrier was chosen as opposed to a solid wall so as not to restrict views to the garden, a feature much enjoyed by those living in the home. The balustrade will be able to withstand the pressure of river water and the impact of any debris carried by the river and will sit 250mm from the face of the building, creating a ‘Juliet’ balcony (i.e. one that is not accessible).
• To the south of the home, there will be a 1100mm high glazed balustrade mounted on concrete. This balustrade will include gates to ensure continued access to the garden.
• To the north of the home a new wall will be erected and a concrete slab poured between it and the home to stop flood waters encroaching.
The works are being carried out by KP Wilton, a building contractor based in Bristol with experience in the healthcare sector. The first step, carried out in April, involved the shaving off of a concrete nib to allow space for the glazed balustrade to be fitted. The next steps will involve addition of concrete groundwork around the building and the installation of the balustrade. Unconnected to the flood risk, the windows on the west side of Bridgemead were in need of replacement due to age and so we have decided to undertake this work at the same time.
The works are forecasted to be completed by November 2025, ahead of the months when the risk of flooding is highest.
Friederike Hamilton, the Operations Manager for Pilgrims’ Friend Society who oversees the daily running of the home, said, “We aim to ensure there is minimal disruption for those living with us as the work takes place. Bridgemead is an important part of the Bath community and we are delighted that we will be able to continue providing excellent care for many years to come.”
Please pray:
• Thank the Lord for the patience of ‘family members’ (those who live
with us) and staff in the face of any disturbance they face while the works are taking place
• Thank Him for the skill of those who are managing the project. Ask that He would be guiding and directing them, enabling them to overcome any challenges
• That the project would be completed on time and that our home would be well protected
Find out more about our latest organisational developments
Planning permission for new Homesdale Care Home
We have received planning permission for a state-of-the-art 45-bed care home in Wanstead
Growth and Renewal Programme
The Growth and Renewal Programme will see an expansion of our work so that more people benefit from Christian care through buildings designed to support The Way We Care
Thanksgiving as Bethany House joins the family
A thanksgiving service was held to mark the transfer of the Preston care home to our charity