Work begins on £9m regeneration scheme

Roadworks in Bridgwater will be in place while the work is underway

Work on a £9m regeneration project that will see roadworks in place across Bridgwater for 14 months has officially started.

Running from Bridgwater railway station to Northgate Docks, the Celebration Mile scheme will eventually provide a safe walking and cycling route for people in the town.

Carried out in phases, the first part of the work began on Monday, comprising of Eastover, East Quay, New Road and Salmon Parade.

Somerset councillor Ros Wyke said the scheme was a "key part" of the town's regeneration and is hoped to bring more people into the town, ease congestion and improve air quality.

Planning permission for the scheme, which will also include street furniture, paving, shared surfaces, public art and street trees, was first given in mid-2022 by Sedgemoor District Council.

Somerset Council, which replaced the district council in April 2023, later decided to proceed with the project, before appointing Taylor Woodrow SWH Contracting, who are also working on the Yeovil refresh programme, in November.

It is hoped the scheme will encourage more people into the town centre

During the work, a new one-way system will be implemented along East Quay, Eastover and Salmon Parade.

Improvements to Angel Crescent are expected to begin on 4 November, with the work scheduled to finish in May.

Work to the final section around Clare Street is set to begin in February, with roadworks expected to last up to seven months.

Funding for the project comes from within the Bridgwater town deal and must be spent on walking and cycling improvements within the town centre by March 2026 – or else the money will be returned to the Treasury.

The Celebration Mile will eventually run from Bridgwater railway station to Northgate Docks

On top of the £9m for the Celebration Mile, a further £5.2m within the Bridgwater town deal has been allocated on regenerating the Northgate Docks.

This includes £1m for new walking and cycling improvements and £4.2m for the refurbishment of the grade two listed docks, providing moorings and space for leisure activities.