Nearly two months after awarding a £4.9 million contract for upgrading Bridgwater Carnival’s facilities, no official start date has been set. The project forms part of the broader £23.6 million Bridgwater town deal, funded by central government, aimed at revitalizing the town’s infrastructure.
Originally overseen by Sedgemoor District Council, now succeeded by Somerset Council as of April 2023, the upgrade focuses on improvements to workshops and buildings on Carnival Way, off the A38 Bristol Road. These enhancements are designed to secure the long-term future of the carnival and support the many clubs involved.
In late May, Somerset Council published an urgent decision to award the contract and intended to begin site mobilization by June’s end for a 42-week construction period. However, as of now, no official start date has been announced, and the identity of the contractor remains undisclosed.
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It is crucial that all funding related to the town deal projects, which also include the Celebration Mile upgrades and the upcoming Northgate Docks revamp, be committed and contracts signed by March 2026 to avoid returning the funds to the Treasury.
The council went out to tender for the carnival project in June 2024, with a May 28 announcement agreeing to contract the winning bidder. At that time, the council planned to mobilize work in May and start construction in June, aiming for minimal disruption to carnival clubs ahead of the annual event.
The current carnival base, located on the brownfield site at Carnival Lane—surrounded by St. John’s Cemetery, the Bristol to Exeter railway, and the Crypton Technology Business Park—is described by the council as “dilapidated” and “not fit for purpose.”
This redevelopment will introduce five new carnival sheds equipped with heating, lighting, and running water, providing safer and improved working conditions for clubs building their carnival carts. The Bridgwater Carnival Committee is also considering adding solar panels to the new buildings to reduce future operating costs.
Funding for the project includes £3 million from the Bridgwater town deal, with the remaining £1.9 million coming from grants approved by the Somerset Community Foundation.
Since the contract award announcement, no further updates or start dates have appeared on the council’s official channels or roadworks portal.
The Bridgwater Carnival is scheduled for November 1 this year. Notably, the upgrade of the nearby Dunball roundabout, partially financed through the same town deal, is expected to conclude soon after.
The council stated it is still finalizing contract details and working with the preferred contractor on early mobilization. A spokesperson assured the public that more information will be released once contracts are finalized, saying: “We expect to be in a position to confirm details once contracts are exchanged and sealed.”