At its Full Council meeting on Thursday, 18 December, Bridgwater Town Council unanimously passed a motion urging Somerset Council to reach a swift resolution on the controversial Celebration Mile scheme.
Town Council Leader, Cllr Brian Smedley who proposed the motion, said,
“In light of yesterday’s Somerset Council meeting, where Bridgwater councillors united in calling for a review of traffic direction along East Quay and Salmon Parade, it is vital that we now step up the pressure and secure a resolution as quickly as possible.
“This must involve Somerset Council Officers and senior councillors meeting with us and our key partners to review the project and do what is right for the people of Bridgwater.”
The motion was seconded by Deputy Conservative Leader, Cllr Diogo Rodrigues, who added,
“Decision-makers act in good faith with the intention of improving our communities. But when a decision has such a clear and unintended negative impact, the right thing to do is to acknowledge it, say ‘this is not right, it is not fair on our residents, we got it wrong,’ and take steps to rectify it.
“This motion reflects what over 5,800 Bridgwater residents have called for in their petition, and I am pleased to give it my full support and work cross-party to deliver the outcome our residents want.”
The motion calls for Somerset Council to:
- Restore parking on Salmon Parade
- Reconsider traffic flow on Salmon Parade and East Quay, with the preferred outcome of reinstating two-way traffic
- Improve pedestrian safety at the boxed junction east of Town Bridge
- Enforce parking restrictions in Eastover
- Convene a Town Development Forum meeting with Somerset Council officers, transport planners, and key partners to agree a lasting solution for town centre routes
- Ensure all actions are evidence-based and completed within the fastest possible timescale
Bridgwater Town Council is committed to working collaboratively with Somerset Council and local stakeholders to resolve these issues and deliver a fair and practical solution for residents and businesses.