A SECTION of the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal which has been closed for years could be finally set to reopen this summer following pleas from residents.
The canal and public right of way between West Street and Albert Street - known as Albert Street Cutting - first closed in 2021 due to a health and safety hazard.
Two large wooden beams which are used to measure movement in the retaining walls which have previously collapsed, fell into the canal and prompted the closure of the area in December that year.
It was proposed that the remaining beams which are over 50 years old would be taken down and replaced with electronic devices, before the canal and footpath could reopen.
Two-and-a-half years later and work is yet to begin at the site, other than an easily moveable wire fence, which has done nothing but create a hotspot for fly-tipping.
Steven Webber, a volunteer at Friends of the Meads, has been speaking with the the Canal and River Trust (CRT) and Somerset Rights of Way to get the issue resolved.
“It’s an important route for infrastructure," he said.
“When I’m doing things at the Meads, I have to come a long way round, it's at least 15 minutes longer along a long busy road.
"They’ve wanted to keep the public right of way element of this quiet, because the laws are there to get this reopened."
Pat Robinson, Chairman of Friends of Bridgwater Docks, further questioned why the issue had been left for years, and worried the closure would impact upon plans to regenerate the docks.
"We’ve always had to fight the Canal and River Trust ever since they’ve been here," she said.
"Bridgwater and Taunton Canal is not at the top of their priorities.
“We used to be the fifth most popular dock - you could’ve gone from the docks to Cardiff, Bristol - this is what we’re trying to get sorted.”
After lengthy deliberation between CRT and Somerset Rights of Way, it has been confirmed that completion date of July is 'reasonable' for the works.
Bridgwater Town Council leader, Cllr Brian Smedley, spoke with the two authorities, and said that re-opening the canal and footpath at the Albert Street Cutting remains a priority.
"This slippage is worrying to us as we have plans to regenerate the docks and this stretch of canal needs re-opening well ahead of that," he said,
"The works are the duty of the CRT but any further extension to the Public Right of Way closure order will be needed from Somerset Council.”
Pete Hoble ,Somerset Rights of Way officer, said his organisation will ask questions of CRT as to why the works are yet to begin.
“I completely appreciate the importance of this path and our duty is to protect and assert the right of the public to the use and enjoyment of the rights of way network," he said.
"Where public safety is compromised, we have powers to temporarily close, and in using those powers we need to hold the responsible bodies to account with regard to their work programme to make safe, and any reasoning they may provide for programme slippage and extension required of any temporary closure.
"Where the responsible body is not expediting the work as quickly as we think they should have done or could have done, then a decision could be made to lift the temporary closure and initiate a public nuisance claim against them.
"I don’t believe we’ve reached that stage with this one and I would have grave concerns about lifting the closure prior to remedial works being completed.
"However, we will continue to ask searching questions of the CRT with regard to any delays or extension that may be sought and hold them to account as best we can.
"We are yet to receive a closure extension request but this is anticipated and we will challenge that the period of extension is kept as short a period as possible.”
Benn Carroll, Principal Project manager for CRT, said the works are set to begin imminently.
“Our revised design scope to enable the cutting to be re-opened was submitted to our framework contractors for pricing in April with a 4-6 week turnaround time," he said.
"It was necessary to revise the design scope as previous costs received from our main framework contractor were cost prohibitive and our staff have spent considerable time and effort to explore all options to allow us to re-open the cutting in a safe manner.
"Submission of the tender returns are due back next week from the contactors following a comprehensive tendering process. We will then be in a position to review the proposed methodologies, programme and cost for delivering the works and start planning for these activities.
"I fully appreciate the potential frustration that these delays are causing to the local residents, but let me assure you we are progressing as quickly as we are able to and we hope to be in a position to confirm proposed programmes within the next few weeks."
Cllr Kathy Pearce (Westover), Somerset Councillor and vice chair of the new town council Amenities Committee, said: “I have attended the CRT User Forum and am reassured that July is a reasonable date for completion."
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