Live traffic data collected by Somerset Council has concluded there is no evidence the Celebration Mile regeneration scheme completed last year caused acute congestion in Bridgwater.
The live journey time data collected between November and May following the opening of the scheme is one of a suite of documents published as part of a review of the scheme and discussed at this week’s Executive Committee.
The Committee agreed yesterday (Wednesday 3 June), to carry out further engagement on the scheme with residents and businesses as part of its recommendations.
The Council appointed Stantec to review of parts of the Celebration Mile scheme, looking at options to change the direction of traffic movements on both Salmon Parade and East Quay, following concerns about the effect the scheme was having on the road network. The review also included the reinstatement of parking on Salmon Parade which was delivered earlier in the spring.
A southbound one-way system was introduced Salmon Parade as part of the Bridgwater Town Deal project, and a north-bound one-way system was introduced on East Quay.
The review was commissioned in response to a Full Council motion in December, tabled by Councillor Leigh Redman, and a petition.
The review looked at five options for East Quay and Salmon Parade:
• Maintain the existing arrangement along with the additional parking already introduced.
• Option A: Reversal of Salmon Parade (to northbound, allowing traffic to flow up past Town Bridge and continuing north onto East Quay).
• Option B: Two-way traffic on both roads.
• Option C: One-way traffic southbound down East Quay onto Salmon Parade.
• Option D: One-way traffic southbound down East Quay, one-way traffic northbound up Salmon Parade with all traffic exiting over the town bridge.
The report concluded none of the options would deliver a significant reduction in traffic congestion across Bridgwater, and that the project itself had not had a significant impact on the road network in terms of congestion. While Option A and B would improve traffic journey times on some routes to a degree, they would at the same time draw more traffic through the town centre seriously impacting on the environment for cyclists and pedestrians, contrary to the original objectives of the scheme, and undermining the original intent to integrate Eastover with the Town Centre.
Option B, allowing two-way traffic on both roads, would necessitate new crossings at Town Bridge for pedestrian safety. The estimated cost of the option would be £120,0000. Options A and C would cost around £10-£30k.
The recommendations agreed by the Executive in full were:
1. To note the outcome of the technical assessment and stakeholder engagement undertaken in response to the Full Council motion of December 2025, including the evidence relating to traffic flow, safety, and town centre vitality.
2. Maintain the current traffic arrangement with no further changes at this time, on the basis of the evidence presented, until such time as further stakeholder engagement with business and residents is completed after which a final recommendation regarding changes to the scheme can be made to the October meeting of Executive.
3. Review status of Bridgwater Vision document.
You access the report to Executive here along with the review documents.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Roads said:
This is a really detailed report comparing peak time traffic data across the all the main routes in Bridgwater and the various scenarios playing out should we make changes to the scheme.
What it makes clear is that we cannot have it all, either we accept a car dominated environment, for the sake of saving a few minutes of journey time or we opt for a quieter more attractive environment which enables people to flow between Eastover and the town centre, which is currently in place. The Celebration Mile was designed to improve the visitor experience in this part of town, as set out in the Bridgwater Vision, that would be lost if we increase the levels of traffic. However, we are going to review the weight given to that vision in decision making.
We are keen to hear about the lived experience of residents and businesses as part of our next phase of engagement. – I would urge everyone, whatever your view to take part. Details on how to take part will be provided in due course.
The Celebration Mile scheme was funded by the Government as part of the Bridgwater Town Deal and aims to enhance the visitor experience in key areas of the town and improve cycling and walking provision. It was delivered by Somerset Council having been designed, consulted and approved by the former Sedgemoor District Council and endorsed by the Bridgwater Town Deal Board.
