Celebration Mile roadworks to last until September
It's as "underground issues" have been found.
Roadworks to deliver Bridgwater’s Celebration Mile won’t conclude until the early-autumn after “underground issues” caused for key elements to be redesigned.
Businesses in Bridgwater town centre have had to contend with roadworks since work began on Eastover in August 2024 to deliver three key sections of the Celebration Mile, which will eventually provide a safer, car-free route between the Northgate Docks and the town’s railway station.
Work is currently proceeding at three separate sites within the town centre, with pedestrian access along Angel Crescent and Clare Street also being restricted.
Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, leader of the opposition Conservative group, used an executive meeting on Wednesday (June 4) to demand a definitive end date for the roadworks, claiming that the town’s businesses were unduly suffering due to falling foot traffic.
The council said it aimed to complete the work by mid-September, but that “unknown unknowns” in the early stage of delivery had led to several key elements being delayed and redesigned.
This comes as Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox used a debate in parliament to criticise the council’s running of the roadworks and call on the government to provide more support to small businesses.
Mr Rodrigues – who represents the Bridgwater East and Bawdrip division – addressed the issue at a meeting of the council’s executive committee in Taunton on Wednesday morning (June 4).
He said: “Footfall in Bridgwater town centre has dropped by 400,000 in just one year.
“That’s 400,000 fewer people walking through our town, popping into shops, grabbing a coffee or visiting local businesses.
“Traders were told that the various Celebration Mile improvements would help to bring more life into this town – but right now, they feel like it’s driving people away with no clear end in site.
“They were told that various roadworks would be finished by June; some have now been told September, others October.
“Can you confirm the date for completion of the roadworks on Eastover, Angel Crescent and Clare Street?”
In addition to the existing roadworks, the council announced in late-May that it would be closing the southern end of Church Street for two months to allow the Eastover element of the Celebration Mile to be successfully completed.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said that the council’s hand had been forced by unmapped utilities under Eastover which were discovered during construction – similar to the delays incurred with the delivery of Yeovil’s new amphitheatre as part of the much-maligned Yeovil Refresh scheme.
Mr Wilkins – who represents the Curry Rivel and Langport division – said: “There are always unknown unknowns which can impact, particularly below the ground – that is why there is always a contingency available above the agreed contract sum, and why the programme is subject to revision.
“Because of the Celebration Mile’s location in the middle of a commercial street, it has been the subject of many underground issues.
“The council takes on board all the risks with the contract, and with the discovery of uncharted utility supplies, the contractors required detailed designs to be presented – which inevitably leads to delays.
“The requirement to engage with third party service providers to deliver design changes has led to additional delays.
“There have been minor delays associated with the delivery of materials which have not been of the required quality, and therefore have been rejected and replaced.
“Despite the delays, the contractor has redistributed their sub-contractors to deliver the scheme as efficiently as possible.”
The Eastover element of the Celebration Mile extends beyond the eponymous street to East Quay, Salmon Parade and Town Bridge – not far from the town’s former community hospital, which will be turned into a health and social care academy using grants from the government’s levelling up fund.
The council confirmed in August 2024 that it would be delaying part of the Salmon Parade improvements until after the new academy was operational – and stated in late-January that it intends to begin work on the project in the autumn of 2025.
Mr Wilkins added on Wednesday (June 4): “At this time, there is design work taking place to avoid excavations on Salmon Parade, East Quay, and on the Town Bridge – the preferred solution being an above-ground delivery, which will avoid additional costs by not revealing any underground issues.
“The programme is likely to move out while this design work takes place, which will lead to further revisions of the construction programme.
“At this moment, the predicted finish dates are: September 15 for Eastover, and August 26 for Angel Crescent and Clare Street. Any remaining planting will take place in November.”
Mr Rodrigues’ comments came on the same day that Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox used a Westminster Hall debate on business rates to attack both the council’s handling of the Celebration Mile roadworks and the Labour government’s policies towards small businesses.
Mr Fox said: “I met recently with Mr Paul Davis of Styles Menswear in Bridgwater. His business rates have gone up from £3,000 a year to £9,000 a year.
“That new cost, before we can even consider Labour’s new jobs tax, puts his livelihood at risk. He will not be alone.
“Paul’s business has the double misfortune of being based in Eastover, where he has had to contend with extensive and lengthy roadworks.
“In Liberal Democrat-controlled Somerset, we have had a particular problem with various roadworks being scheduled at the same time and harming local businesses. It seems that the Lib Dems know little and care less about the damage that they are causing.
“Businesses disproportionately affected by council actions should have the right to claim rates relief. The situation in Eastover is now desperate, and I fear that in the coming months we will see more shops and businesses closing their doors for good.
“It seems that this Labour government, with the able assistance of Lib Dem councillors in Somerset, are set on destroying those businesses.”
Residents and business owners wishing to learn more about the Celebration Mile are invited to attend a drop-in session at Bridgwater Community Church (located at 11-13 Eastover) on Thursday (June 12) from 4pm to 7pm.
This event will be attended by contractors and local councillors, allowing members of the public to ask questions and give their views on how the remainder of the scheme should be implemented.