Somerset Council has confirmed that parking spaces on Salmon Parade, part of Bridgwater’s Celebration Mile, will be restored within eight weeks. The removal of parking in this area — near the former Bridgwater community hospital — was part of a £9 million government-funded revitalization project spanning three sections between the town’s railway station and historic docks.
However, the removal sparked frustration among residents and businesses, especially after concurrent cancellations of road upgrades, which have contributed to increased congestion across Bridgwater’s road network. In response to a petition signed by over 5,800 locals, the council pledged in December 2025 to review the scheme thoroughly and implement necessary changes by summer 2026.
At a recent Somerset Council executive committee meeting on April 1, Councillor Carole Edmunds, representing Bridgwater Town Council, highlighted community concerns. She recalled assurances from Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, who noted that consultants are rapidly finalizing designs to reinstate the parking. Following this, the council aims to complete legal processes and have the spaces ready by early June.
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Councillor Edmunds, known for her advocacy of active travel and commuter cycling, emphasized the urgency, referencing both the public outcry and the unanimous vote from Bridgwater Town Council urging swift action. Councillor Wilkins confirmed that highway officers are prioritizing the matter, expecting to issue a firm timeline soon, with work planned on a 28-day turnaround once designs are finalized.
The return of parking on Salmon Parade represents an important response to community feedback, balancing the goals of the Celebration Mile project with the practical needs of local residents and businesses.