The £5.4 million regeneration project of Bridgwater’s historic Northgate Docks is scheduled to begin as early as April 2027. These docks, which link the River Parrett to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, form the northern end of the Celebration Mile, a key route through the town centre leading to the railway station.
In mid-July, Somerset Council’s north planning committee approved plans for this significant redevelopment, funded by the Bridgwater town deal. The project will see residential moorings reintroduced and enhancements made to walking and cycling infrastructure in the surrounding area.
The council has officially published the tender notice for the regeneration, indicating that construction work could commence in spring 2027, with a projected duration of up to 12 months.
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Key aspects of the regeneration include the reinstatement and refurbishment of pontoons within the docks, allowing for up to 23 residential moorings and ten leisure moorings simultaneously. New security entrances will be installed for boat users, with revenue generated from moorings being reinvested into front-line services.
Additionally, repairs will be carried out on the existing bascule bridge at the eastern end of the docks, and new information boards will be installed to highlight the area’s local history.
The current swing bridge at Newton Lock will be replaced with a 3.5-metre-wide bridge designed to safely accommodate pedestrians and cyclists traveling in both directions.
Of the total funding, £1 million is specifically allocated for walking and cycling improvements, in alignment with the Bridgwater local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP). As part of this, a shared-use path will be constructed on the northern side of the docks. This will connect with the recently completed Linham Road cycle link and extend travel routes towards the A39 Western Way and along the River Parrett, passing the tidal barrier site to the Express Park and northward to the Dunball roundabout.
The path will continue south over the new swing bridge and across Anson Way, where pedestrians and cyclists can access the existing routes past Brewery Field and Northgate Primary School towards Northgate Yard.
A spokesperson for Somerset Council commented: “This project will revitalise the heritage dock area by establishing a new residential, leisure, and tourism destination quarter within the town. It aims to support clean and inclusive growth by encouraging commercial regeneration and fostering a sustainable living environment. The initiative will breathe new life into the town centre, creating a leisure destination with easy access to the town and the nearby Northgate commercial leisure quarter. Situated alongside the Northgate complex, the project will unlock waterside business opportunities and maximise community benefits through the provision of residential moorings.”
The tender estimates the contract value at £5.4 million including VAT, with £5.2 million provided by the Bridgwater town deal grant and the remaining £200,000 funded by the council.
All town deal funding must be committed or under contract by March 2027, with project completion required by April 2028. Accordingly, the tender anticipates work starting in April 2027 and lasting approximately one year. The council will announce exact start dates and any diversion routes once the contract is awarded.