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Anger as town's roadworks causing gridlock

Michelle Ruminski
Somerset Political Reporter
BBC Three local people, two women one man, with arms around each other smiling. Both women are wearing glasses and jumpers. The man is wearing a black hoodie. BBC
Resident Tracey-Ann Cummins (centre) said she no longer does her shopping in Bridgwater town centre because the traffic is "unbelievable"

A town's ongoing roadworks has been causing gridlock during peak traffic times, according to some residents and traders.

About £9m of government money is being spent on creating a pedestrian and cycling-only route from Bridgwater Railway Station to the docks, known as Celebration Mile.

The regeneration work involves 14 months of phased works.

Councillor Mike Rigby from Somerset Council said he "understands frustrations", but work on this scale "does involve some disruption and we are trying to keep this to the minimum".

Wide of drop-in event shopping twelve people chatting in small groups in front of an information screen
A drop-in event was held at the Mecure Hotel on Monday

Resident Tracey-Ann Cummins said she was "angry that Bridgwater is in such an upheaval mess" because of the works.

"The traffic congestion in Bridgwater is unbelievable. From 16:00 GMT to 18:00 in Bridgwater you cannot move," she said.

Ms Cummins added she does her shopping out of town because she cannot park in the centre.

Man with ginger beard look at the camera with a few people behind him chatting to each other
Graham Hodgson, the owner of The Cobblestones pub and music venue, said his takings have been down

Graham Hodgson, the owner of The Cobblestones pub and music venue, said when the roadworks were directly outside his business between August and November footfall dropped.

He said takings were down by 30% to 50% and he was "at the point of making redundancies".

Stuart Martin looking at the camera in a hotel conference room
Project director Stuart Martin urged "businesses can hang on in there"

Celebration Mile is described by the council as the "backbone" of improvements to the town centre.

Thanks to funding from the government, 11 projects are being delivered from the Bridgwater Town Deal.

Contractors Taylor Woodrow held a drop-in session at the Mecure Hotel on Monday.

Project director Stuart Martin said the scheme has been designed to encourage footfall in the Eastover area by making changes to the crossroads and providing more pedestrianised areas.

He said: "If businesses can hang on in there, they have a real opportunity to be successful once the work is complete."

Speaking on BBC Radio Somerset, Mike Rigby the lead member for economic development, said: "disruption is inevitable" on a project of this size.

He added people do not like closed roads, but the work is necessary to increase footfall and ultimately increase the "success of businesses in Bridgwater".

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