TWO roads in Bridgwater will see traffic controls put in place this week to allow works linked to the planned Agratas battery facility.

Both Bower Lane and Westonzoyland Road (A372) will be affected, with Bower Lane seeing one-way systems and multi-way traffic lights to allow works along the road which will be carried out in several phases.

Work will start on Monday (August 5) under traffic lights, with a one-way system then introduced between Bath Road and the hospital roundabout.

Traffic will only be able to access the hospital from the A39 direction (Bath Road) and will need to follow a signed diversion via Whitfield Road when exiting.

Westonzoyland Road will see a night time closure (7pm – 7am), during which time there will be a two-way temporary traffic light system with access remaining in both directions.

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Both controls start today (August 5) and are expected to be in place for around a month. Bower Lane is then scheduled to be closed in phases from early September to late December.

More information, including contact details, are available on JSM’s website: https://www.jsmgroup.com/project/bridgwater-gigafactory/

Access will be maintained at all times for directly affected businesses and homes. However, residents should plan ahead and leave extra time for journeys, for example when travelling for hospital appointments.

Further works will be needed in Bridgwater later in the year to complete the electricity connection, which is an essential part of the preparation work for the planned facility. Details of these will be shared once confirmed.

Once completed and operational, it is anticipated that this £4bn investment from Agratas will create around 4,000 direct jobs and many more in the supply chain.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “Everyone knows the huge benefits that would come with the planned facility and what it should mean for jobs and the economy, in Bridgwater and the county as a whole.

“Of course, something on this scale can’t happen without supporting infrastructure, and that means that some disruption to the network is unavoidable.

“We’ll work with Agratas to minimise this where possible, but ask for patience and  understanding.”

A spokesperson for Agratas said: “Agratas’ multi-billion-pound facility will bring state-of-the-art sustainable battery cell technology to Somerset, bringing with it groundbreaking opportunities for positive change for the regional economy.

“To power our facility, we’re working with Somerset Council to build a new underground power supply. As with every construction project of this scale, there will be some temporary disruption to local roads, which is why we’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact on traffic and the community.”