NEW moorings at Bridgwater Docks are part of a consultation into the future of the landmark site.

Somerset Council is calling on the public to complete a new questionnaire on plans to ‘transform’ the site, as part of the £23.2 million Bridgwater Town Deal regeneration programme.

Other plans include creating an ‘active travel route’ around the site, as well a ‘public realm scheme’, a new swing bridge and refurbishment of the Bascule Bridge, and creating new residential and leisure moorings.

“The Bridgwater Docks project includes new active travel (walking and cycling) routes which will extend across a new swing bridge at Newton Lock,” a council spokesperson said.

“The marina facility will be modernised and berths increased to create new residential and leisure opportunities. Lighting will be improved along with landscaping.”

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The public consultation opened on Monday (August 18) and runs until September 14 with people able to take part through a questionnaire at https://somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/comms/bridgwater-docks-regeneration.

“The vision is to make the Docks a place people want to visit, enjoy and experience a part of Bridgwater’s industrial history,” the spokesperson said.

Public events are also planned, with a webinar session via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, August 28, from 5.50pm to 7pm, and a drop-in at Victoria Park Community Centre, in Victoria Park Drive, between noon and 4pm on Saturday, September 13.

It comes after an initial consultation in 2023, with more input from residents sought to build on the plans, produced by built environment specialists WSP, design consultants for the scheme.

Councillor Mike Rigby, executive lead member for economic development, planning and assets at the council, said: “I would encourage people to get involved and have their say, either via the online consultation or at one of the events.

“In the past the Docks were the commercial heartbeat of the town, and we hope that this project will help to breathe new life into the area to provide a sustainable future that supports new commercial investment, improves the local environment and respects the needs of the many and varied users including local residents.”

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Paul Moore, chair of the Bridgwater Town Deal Board, said: “The Docks are part of the history of Bridgwater and have been languishing in a sorry state. This Town Deal scheme hopes to kick start the process of becoming a heritage destination which becomes a building block for the long-term regeneration of the Docks area.”

Next steps for the project include securing planning permission for the development, with the aim for work to start next year.

The Bridgwater Docks were constructed between 1837 and 1841 as an extension of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal. They were used for commercial purposes until the 1970s, before being converted into a marina in the 1980s.

The docks, which lie in the Bridgwater Central Area & Dock Conservation Area, include original warehouses, wharf structures, the Grade II listed Harbour Master’s House, and 19th-century industrial storage buildings.

The last barges moored at the docks were removed in 2023.