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Avon Riversides 2100

Better protecting Bristol and neighbouring communities from flooding along the River Avon and enhancing the riverside for people and nature.

Bristol City Council is working with the Environment Agency and the West of England Combined Authority on a long-term project to better protect homes and businesses from flooding along the River Avon. Once complete, it will safeguard Bristol and neighbouring communities from increased tidal and fluvial (river) flood risk up to the year 2100 and beyond.

View looking east over Bristol showing the Clifton Suspension Bridge, River Avon and Western Harbour area

The River Avon runs through the heart of Bristol providing a range of benefits such as diverse habitats and wildlife. It has significant historical and cultural importance and has shaped the city as we know it today. However, the river, and Bristol’s proximity to the sea, also brings challenges – especially as climate change and rising sea levels increase flood risk.

Today, severe floods are rare. But if we do nothing, by 2100 they could happen every year. We can’t stop all floods, but we can reduce the risk and improve how we respond to them.

Our ambition

Our ambition is to create and improve flood defences along low-lying sections of the River Avon. The scheme will benefit Bristol – from St. Anne’s through to Shirehampton – and nearby communities. We will tailor the flood defences to each location, bringing benefits all year, not just during floods. Where we can, we’ll design them with local communities, so they fit the local environment.

By designing defences that improve public spaces, we aim to deliver:

New open
spaces

Improved cycling, walking and wheeling routes

Enhanced
riversides

Celebrated
heritage features

New homes

Certainty for new and existing businesses to grow

Complete our short survey and help shape the future of the riverside

Explore the scheme

Find out more about what is proposed in each location by clicking the pins on the map below. We will update this map as the designs for the flood defences are developed.

News and progress

Check out our recent news and updates by clicking on the articles below. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter.

All news and updates

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News

5 June 2026

Avon Riversides 2100 Newsletter – Spring 2026

Welcome to the spring edition of the Avon Riversides 2100 Newsletter.

A rower on the River Avon with a train in the background

News

19 December 2025

Avon Riversides 2100 – December 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to the December edition of the Avon Riversides 2100 Newsletter.

Illustration thumbnail single colour Bristol skyline with River Avon highlighted

News

1 October 2024

Bristol Avon Flood Strategy update: October 2024

In these updates we will share the latest news as the proposals for better protecting Bristol and its neighbouring communities from flooding begin to take shape.

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