Bridgwater’s historic Northgate Docks are set for a £5.4 million regeneration project that could commence as early as April 2027. The docks, which connect the River Parrett to the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, mark the northern end of the Celebration Mile, a pathway that runs through the town centre to the railway station.
Somerset Council’s planning committee north approved the ambitious plans in mid-July, funding the scheme through the Bridgwater town deal. This approval paves the way for the return of residential moorings and enhancements to walking and cycling connections in the area.
Following the approval, the council has officially published the tender notice for the project. The work is expected to begin in spring 2027 and may take up to 12 months to complete.
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As part of the town deal scheme, pontoons within the docks will be reinstated and refurbished to accommodate 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 directly into front-line services.
The existing bascule bridge at the eastern end of the docks will undergo repairs, alongside the installation of new information boards detailing the local area’s rich history. The current swing bridge at Newton Lock will be replaced with a 3.5-metre-wide bridge, enabling pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely in both directions at the same time.
Of the total funding, £1 million is allocated specifically for walking and cycling improvements, supporting the objectives of the Bridgwater Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). A shared-use path will be created on the northern side of the docks, linking with the Linham Road cycle link-which was completed in December 2024-and facilitating onward travel along the A39 Western Way and the River Parrett toward Express Park and Dunball roundabout.
This path will continue south over the new swing bridge and across Anson Way, where pedestrians and cyclists can join the existing route past Brewery Field and Northgate Primary School towards Northgate Yard.
A spokesperson from Somerset Council said, “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 fostering a sustainable living environment. The development will re-energise the town centre, establishing a new leisure destination with convenient access to both the town centre and the nearby commercial leisure quarter of Northgate. Situated alongside the Northgate complex, it will unlock waterside business opportunities while maximising community benefits through residential moorings.”
The tender document estimates the contract value at £5.4 million, including VAT, with £5.2 million provided by the Bridgwater town deal grant and £200,000 from other council sources.
According to project timelines, all town deal funds must be committed or under contract by March 2027, with completion of all projects by April 2028. Consequently, the docks' regeneration works are envisaged to start in April 2027 and continue for up to 12 months. The council will release exact start dates and details of any diversion routes once the contract is awarded.