MP calls for one-way system in town to be dropped

Ashley Fox the MP for Bridgwater said the new one-way system on East Quay and Salmon Parade was making traffic "intolerable"

An MP has called for the new one-way system to be dropped claiming it has led to "traffic chaos".

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox said making East Quay and Salmon Parade in the town one-way and scrapping a major upgrade to the Cross Rifles roundabout has made traffic "intolerable".

Mike Rigby who is in charge of Planning on Somerset Council said there is always a period of "bedding in" with any new scheme, but "elements seem to be working quite well".

Somerset Council also refuted that the Cross Rifles project had been scrapped, and said it was "rescoped with full agreement of the government due to soaring construction and material costs".

Speaking on BBC Radio Somerset, Sir Ashley accused the Liberal Democrat-led Somerset Council of not caring about the chaos and congestion caused by the one-way system and the major revision to a government funded project at the Cross Rifles roundabout.

Last week, Sir Ashley told the Commons that one resident's weekly taxi fare to the supermarket has gone up from £20 to £37 because of the changes.

The work was to be funded by a £10m grant from the previous government's levelling up fund.

Mr Fox called for a Parliamentary debate on how councils can be held to account for cancelling government-funded infrastructure projects.

In response the Labour MP and Leader of the House of Commons Sir Alan Campbell, said he would draw the case to the attention of the department.