The historic Northgate Docks in Bridgwater are poised for a significant £5.4 million regeneration, with work expected to begin as early as April 2027. Connecting the River Parrett to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, the docks mark the northern end of the popular Celebration Mile, which stretches through the town centre to the railway station.
In mid-July, Somerset Council’s planning committee north approved the ambitious regeneration plan, supported by funding from the Bridgwater town deal. This project will see the return of residential moorings and enhancements to local walking and cycling routes.
The council has officially published the tender notice for the redevelopment, signalling the start of construction in spring 2027, with a projected duration of up to 12 months.
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Key to the project is the reinstatement and refurbishment of pontoons within the docks, enabling up to 23 residential and ten leisure moorings to be available simultaneously. Enhanced security entrances will be installed for boat users, with mooring fees reinvested directly into essential frontline services.
Repairs to the existing bascule bridge at the eastern end of the docks are planned, alongside the installation of new information boards detailing the area’s local history. Additionally, the current swing bridge at Newton Lock will be replaced with a wider 3.5-metre bridge to allow safe two-way pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
A substantial £1 million of the project’s budget is dedicated specifically to walking and cycling improvements, aligning with Bridgwater’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). A new shared use path will be constructed on the northern side of the docks, linking to the recently completed Linham Road cycle link and providing further connectivity to the A39 Western Way, the River Parrett via the tidal barrier, Express Park, and north towards the Dunball roundabout.
The path will continue south over the new swing bridge and across Anson Way, joining existing routes past Brewery Field and Northgate Primary School towards Northgate Yard.
A council spokesperson remarked,
“This project will regenerate the heritage dock area by creating a new residential, leisure and tourism destination quarter in the town. It will support clean and inclusive growth by stimulating commercial regeneration and creating a sustainable living environment. This development will reinvigorate the town centre, forming a new leisure destination with easy access to the town centre and the adjacent commercial leisure quarter of Northgate. Positioned alongside the Northgate complex, it will stimulate waterside business potential as well as maximising community benefit through the offer of residential moorings.”
The total contract value is estimated at £5.4 million, including VAT, with £5.2 million sourced from the Bridgwater town deal grant and the remainder from additional council funding.
All town deal funding must be committed or under contract by March 2027, with completion of all projects by April 2028. The council intends to finalise and announce specific construction dates and any related diversion routes following the awarding of the contract.