Construction has commenced on a new pedestrian and cycle toucan crossing on Ascot Drive, Bridgwater, prompting warnings of up to two months of traffic disruption for motorists and commuters. Ascot Drive, a vital link between the A38 Bristol Road and several residential developments including Westminster Walk and the Evergreen Parade estate, serves as a busy commuter corridor that crosses the Bristol to Exeter railway line.
Somerset Council initiated the project on Monday, April 27, with temporary traffic lights installed from May 5 and expected to remain until completion on June 26. The new toucan crossing, designed to facilitate both pedestrians and cyclists, will replace the existing unmarked crossing east of the Bristol Road roundabout. This installation connects existing pedestrian and cycling paths along Kings Drive to the A39 Bath Road, enhancing safe, active travel options across the town.
The upgraded crossing will link to Bristol Road’s cycle paths, providing improved routes to key destinations such as the Express Park commercial area, the Dunball roundabout, and the upcoming gigafactory site. These routes form part of the ‘purple route’ outlined in the Bridgwater Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
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In addition to this project, further walking and cycling enhancements are planned nearby, including new links on The Leggar near Sainsbury’s and safety improvements at the Cross Rifles roundabout, where the A38 meets the A39. The council’s highways contractor will also undertake necessary repairs at the Bristol Road roundabout, such as kerb replacements, and conduct night-time resurfacing of the dual carriageway immediately north of the junction.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, emphasized the importance of these safety works, highlighting that the new crossing is a vital step towards expanding Bridgwater’s active travel network. “Our goal is to make walking, cycling, and wheeling around the town safer and more accessible,” he said. Wilkins acknowledged the potential for traffic disruption during peak times but assured drivers that efforts will be made to keep roads open for the majority of the construction period, with restricted access only at necessary intervals.
Further information on this and other local roadworks is available on Somerset Council’s official website. While details of upgrades to the Cross Rifles roundabout and The Leggar are currently limited, the council confirms these projects are part of a broader package of improvements across Bridgwater, with schedules to be announced in due course.