Nearly two months after awarding the contract, no start date has been set for the £4.9 million upgrade of Bridgwater Carnival’s facilities. The project is a key part of the £23.6 million Bridgwater Town Deal, funded by central government and managed by Somerset Council, which replaced Sedgemoor District Council in April 2023.
The upgrade aims to modernize the workshops and associated buildings on Carnival Way, off the A38 Bristol Road, to secure the future of the carnival and support the numerous clubs involved. The existing production base on Carnival Lane, located on a brownfield site near St. John’s Cemetery and the Bristol to Exeter railway line, has been described as “dilapidated” and “not fit for purpose.”
In late May, Somerset Council published an urgent decision awarding the contract for the 42-week build programme, with an initial goal to start construction by the end of June. However, nearly two months later, the council has yet to confirm a start date, and the name of the selected contractor remains undisclosed.
READ MORE: Ex-Jockey Haunted by School Bus Crash After Helping Rescue Children in Minehead
The project includes delivering five new carnival sheds equipped with heating, lighting, and running water, allowing local clubs to safely build and maintain their carnival carts. The Bridgwater Carnival Committee is also considering installing solar panels on the new buildings' roofs to reduce future operating costs.
Of the total £4.9 million budget, £3 million comes from the Bridgwater Town Deal, with the remainder funded by grants from the Somerset Community Foundation. All Town Deal projects, including the imminent Celebration Mile improvements and the Northgate Docks revamp, must have funding committed and contracts in place by March 2026, or the funds risk being returned to the Treasury.
The council has emphasized its commitment to minimizing disruption to clubs during the build, especially before the carnival season. Bridgwater Carnival is scheduled for November 1 this year, with the nearby Dunball roundabout upgrade, another Town Deal project, expected to finish around the same time.
A council spokesman explained that discussions with the preferred contractor are ongoing regarding early mobilisation and contract finalization. More detailed information will be shared once contracts are officially exchanged and sealed.