The future of Bridgwater’s Celebration Mile remains uncertain following nearly a year of extensive roadworks. The walking and cycling route, set to connect Bridgwater railway station to the Northgate Docks, is part of a £9 million government-backed town deal aimed at revitalizing the area.
Contractor Taylor Woodrow is now completing work on three central sections of the route—Angel Crescent, Clare Street, and Eastover—yet several challenges persist. Somerset Council has faced significant criticism from local businesses and residents over prolonged road closures, construction delays, and controversial changes to traffic flows.
Opposition councillors and Bridgwater’s MP Sir Ashley Fox have pressured the council to reconsider parts of the scheme. In late October, council leader Bill Revans announced a review of a key section near Eastover amid growing complaints.
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Before the recent roadworks, parts of the route already existed, including Fore Street’s well-established pedestrianised zone and a section developed by Sedgemoor District Council as part of the Northgate Yard regeneration, which opened in 2022. Additional upgrades at the Broadway junction, completed in July 2023, enhanced traffic signals to improve safety and flow.
Work on the central sections funded by the town deal is nearly finished; however, temporary traffic lights still operate near Northgate Yard’s crossing on Mount Street. Changes made to Eastover, East Quay, and Salmon Parade involved converting all three streets to one-way, sparking backlash from Conservative councillor Diogo Rodrigues. He criticized the new layout for complicating travel routes and removing free parking in favor of cycle lanes, arguing that these adjustments have made daily life harder for residents and businesses.
Labour opposition leader Councillor Leigh Redman echoes these concerns and has proposed modifications to allow safer pedestrian zones without sacrificing two-way traffic flow. Both parties urge the council to amend the current design to better serve community needs.
Council leader Bill Revans has committed to consulting residents, traders, and local representatives to refine the layout. While the Bridgwater Area Cycling Campaign advocates for letting the scheme settle over several years, Revans prioritizes addressing immediate problems to ensure the project truly benefits the town.
Attention now turns to completing the route’s termini at Northgate Docks and Bridgwater railway station. The docks portion is part of a wider regeneration plan with a £5.2 million budget, including £1 million dedicated to walking and cycling improvements. Planned works involve a new swing-bridge replacing a temporary crossing, refurbished pathways linking to nearby cycle routes, and marina enhancements with reduced boat capacity for sustainability.
The project deadline for contract award on dock improvements, initially March 2026, has been extended by a year following negotiations with government officials.
At the eastern end, St. John’s Street to the railway station currently lacks allocated funding for upgrades. Town councillor Mick Lerry suggests exploring financial support from development projects such as the nearby £4 billion Agratas gigafactory. Improvements here could address persistent congestion, narrow pavements, and limited cycling lanes, creating a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists while enhancing the public realm.
With turbulence around the central sections and uncertainty at the endpoints, Bridgwater’s Celebration Mile faces critical decisions as it seeks to fulfill its potential as a flagship sustainable transport corridor.