Kier has been awarded a £831,000 contract to enhance the flood resilience of Chard Reservoir in Somerset.

The project aims to safeguard both the popular wildlife reserve and nearby residential areas from potential flooding.

This contract marks the first project in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to be awarded through the SCAPE Utilities Works & Services framework, a public sector initiative designed to accelerate vital utilities projects. Kier was appointed to this framework in 2024, paving the way for this significant development.


The work will be carried out by Kier’s Natural Resources, Nuclear & Networks business division and is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025. The construction will focus on a range of safety enhancements, including reinforcements to the reservoir's stilling basin, the addition of a new crest wall, and improvements to the surrounding landscaping.

Originally built in the 1840s as a water storage facility for the Chard Canal, the reservoir has long since fallen into disuse as a water source but has become a beloved nature reserve. Visitors now enjoy the wildflower meadows, woodland, and open water that make up the reserve, located just a 15-minute walk from Chard town centre.