Somerset Council is preparing to undertake additional, though limited, roadworks to complete the much-anticipated Celebration Mile project in Bridgwater town centre. With a £9 million budget from the government-backed Bridgwater Town Deal, the project aims to create a safe, continuous, and car-free pedestrian route linking Bridgwater railway station to Northgate Docks via the town centre.
Since August 2024, the town centre has been marked by extensive roadworks. Taylor Woodrow, the council’s contractor, has been working on key sections including Angel Crescent, Clare Street, and Eastover. These prolonged works have sparked criticism from local businesses, councillors, and Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox, leading the council’s executive to provide progress updates earlier this month.
New details reveal further roadworks are necessary to finalize the scheme, though no definitive timeline has been given for these upcoming works. Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, explained that unforeseen challenges such as “uncharted utility supplies,” similar to those encountered during Yeovil’s amphitheatre project, have contributed to delays.
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Additionally, issues with the quality of construction materials caused minor setbacks as unsuitable items were rejected and replaced. Despite these hurdles, the contractor has reorganized their team to maintain efficient progress.
Design efforts are underway to minimize the need for excavations on Salmon Parade, East Quay, and Town Bridge, exploring an above-ground solution that would reduce costs by avoiding disruption to underground infrastructure. These design revisions are expected to push back the project’s overall timeline.
Currently, estimated completion dates are September 15 for Eastover, and August 26 for Angel Crescent and Clare Street, with final planting scheduled for November.
A Freedom of Information request has disclosed that over £3.5 million has already been spent on the design and delivery of the Celebration Mile.
Contrary to rumors suggesting the removal of East Quay and Salmon Parade from the project, the council confirmed these areas will proceed with less invasive construction. They plan a “table-top” traffic calming approach at the Eastover and Town Bridge junction, extending into Salmon Parade and East Quay, to boost pedestrian priority and footfall without extensive excavation. This approach is still in the design stage, with the timeline yet to be confirmed.
The Eastover section of the Celebration Mile also encompasses parts of Salmon Parade, East Quay, and Town Bridge, near the site of Bridgwater’s former community hospital. This building is set to be transformed into a health and social care academy using government levelling-up funds.
In August 2024, the council announced a delay to some Salmon Parade improvements pending the academy’s operation, with work now planned to begin in autumn 2025. A council spokesman added that the planning application for the academy is expected in summer 2025, with a decision anticipated in winter 2025, allowing construction to commence early the following year. This scheme will involve works adjacent to and south of the hospital building along Salmon Parade.