SECTIONS of Bridgwater town centre will be pedestrianised – despite concerns it “does more for cyclists than the shops”, writes Daniel Mumby.

Sedgemoor District Council has been working to deliver the ‘Celebration Mile’, providing a safe and attractive route between Bridgwater Station and Northgate Docks.

The project is part of the £22.6m Bridgwater town deal, with the council allocating £9m towards three key stretches of the route.

The council’s development committee has approved plans for the first phase on the eastern end of Clare Street, including its connections with Castle Moat, King Square and York Buildings and phase two, for drastic changes to Eastover, Salmon Parade and neighbouring streets.

Eastover will become one-way, with traffic only allowed to travel westbound from the A38 Broadway to the Town Bridge junction.

Similar changes are planned on East Quay (where cars will only be able to travel northbound), Salmon Parade (southbound only) and Town Bridge (westbound only).

The additional space created will allow cycle lanes and wider pavements to encourage walking and cycling.

Some parking spaces will be removed to “improve the experience for pedestrians and allow greater space outside retail units for pedestrians”. Disabled spaces and loading bays will be retained on Eastover.

Trevor Mapstone, who lives near the town centre, said: "The transport survey was done on a day and at a time where there is minimal traffic. The main traffic in Bridgwater is on a Monday and a Friday, where we see gridlock.

“The removal of parking on Eastover and Salmon Parade is a detrimental step to bringing people into the town for the economy. Disabled people cannot walk, and the council has a duty to make this accessible.

“HGVs will now have to go through Cranleigh Gardens, which is contrary to the green policies of this council. It will increase mileage, increase pollution and obstruct emergency vehicles.”

Planning officer Dean Titchener said disabled access is “at the forefront of the scheme”, with the disabled spaces nearest the town centre shops and the taxi rank being retained.

Cllr Kathy Pearce said: “With Eastover as it stands, the difficulty of crossing the Town Bridge is a deterrent to people visiting there. I welcome this investment."

Cllr Anthony Betty praised the "great enhancement to the area", but said the construction period should not coincide with Somerset County Council’s planned upgrade to the Cross Rifles roundabout.

Cllr Stuart Kingham said: “It’s always great to see town centres having some enhancement to make them more attractive, but this scheme seem to does more for cyclists than the shops.”