Dozens of carts will take to the streets for the Bridgwater Carnival. Picture: Bridgwater Photographic Society

Roadworks around Bridgwater will not impact carnival

Tait ap EllisOctober 10, 20240 Comment0

ONGOING roadworks around Bridgwater will not impact the carnival route in the town, Somerset Council has confirmed.

The town is currently subjected to two road works as part of the Celebration Mile – the Bridgwater Town Deal project to create an accessible walking and cycling route across the town – and BT Openreach, with four-way traffic signals on the town bridge to facilitate this.

Somerset Council has said the road improvement works as part of the Celebration Mile will not affect the carnival route and the BT Openreach works are scheduled to be completed before the end of the month.

Teams working on two other major schemes in the Bridgwater area have also adjusted schedules to factor in the carnival.

Work on upgrading the Dunball roundabout, near Bridgwater, is not due to start until November 11, after Bridgwater , Burnham on Sea and North Petherton Carnivals, while the contractor working for Agratas to supply electricity to its planned battery facility on the Gravity site in Puriton will be restoring two way traffic flows on the A39 Bath Road and Bower Lane from October 30 to November 4.

Bridgwater Carnival is expected to bring hundreds of performers to the town’s streets on November 2, with the carnival roads around the town set to close at 4pm before the processions start at 6pm.

“Bridgwater Carnival is hugely important not just to the town, but to Somerset and the south west,” said councillor Mike Rigby, executive lead member for economic development, planning and assets.

“I am pleased that I can reassure carnival fans, local businesses and residents that there will be no restriction on carnival activities, due to the Celebration Mile works.

“Bridgwater Town Deal is unlocking multi-million-pound investments in Bridgwater through the 11 projects that include Celebration Mile and supporting the carnival by providing modern sheds for carnival clubs to build their carts.”

Taylor Woodrow, contractor for the Celebration Mile works, is sponsoring a money collection cart at the Carnival with proceeds shared by local good causes.