Before and after: Work is getting underway in Eastover, Bridgwater, which will close until November. Pictures: Google/Bridgwater Town Deal

Major Bridgwater route to close until November as Celebration Mile work begins

Paul JonesAugust 16, 20240 Comment1

A MAIN route through Bridgwater is set to close next week – until November – as work on the town’s Celebration Mile gets underway.

The scheme, part of the £23.2 million Bridgwater Town Deal project, will see a pedestrian and cycle-friendly route created, connecting the railway station and Northgate Docks, which are also in line for regeneration.

As the first phase of the work gets underway, from Monday (August 19), Eastover will close between Broadway and Church Street.

Access to Church Street will be maintained using two-way traffic lights via Eastover in an east direction.

The closure is expected to be in place until November, when construction moves to the next phase.

Eastover in Bridgwater is set to close until November as work gets underway on the Celebration Mile. Picture: Google

Somerset Council said the Celebration Mile is the “back-bone” of Bridgwater’s revitalised town centre, highlighting the town’s history and culture and re-energising the centre of the town.

The route will include new street furniture, shared surfaces, paving, lighting, street trees, interpretative material, public art, and improved signposting.

Councillor Ros Wyke, the council’s lead member for economic development, planning and assets, and a Bridgwater Town Deal board member, said: “It’s really exciting to move into the main construction phase for Celebration Mile.

“We appreciate this may be disruptive at peak times for some road users – we would urge people to try and plan ahead and bear in mind this route will be closed.

“But the net result of this work will be a fantastic landmark walking, cycling and wheeling route from the station to the docks which we believe will have massive benefits for Bridgwater in the long-run, in terms of economic growth and encouraging more visitors to the town.”

How the revamped Eastover, in Bridgwater, is set to look after the work. Picture: Bridgwater Town Deal

Toby Lander, operations manager for Taylor Woodrow, which is carrying out the work, added: “We are pleased to be in partnership with Somerset Council by working on this exciting regeneration project in the heart of Bridgwater.

“We are looking forward to supporting Somerset Council’s project aims in providing an active travel route throughout the town, whilst making the areas both safe and attractive to its users.

“As always, we will be working closely with all impacted local businesses and residents and would like to thank our stakeholders in advance, for their patience during these works.”

For more information about the Bridgwater Town Deal, visit www.bridgwatertowndeal.co.uk.