A planned road closure for a multi-million pound regeneration project in Bridgwater is being brought forward to minimise summer disruption for traders, shoppers and residents.

Clare Street will be closed to vehicles for up to 5 months from Monday 17 February as part of the Celebration Mile project, funded by the Government’s Town Deal scheme. Access for pedestrians and shoppers will be maintained throughout the closure.

Shops, businesses and residents have been visited by a representative from contractors Taylor Woodrow to make sure they are kept informed and have a point of contact for any concerns. They will also be able to confirm any specific access needs.

The Celebration Mile will make Bridgwater town centre a more attractive destination for visitors and shoppers and so help to increase footfall. Clare Street is a key part of the scheme and is set to be transformed over the coming months.

Work includes renewing, diverting and maintaining underground utilities, improving drainage, installing new kerbs and paving, as well as street furnishings and soft landscaping.

Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets said:

We want to get this work completed as quickly as possible so businesses can start to feel the benefit.

This work was due to start in the spring, but we are now introducing a full road closure a bit earlier to get everything complete by the summer,

Work on the scale of the Celebration Mile does involve some disruption but we are trying to keep this to the minimum.

We will make sure that pedestrians and shoppers, businesses and residents, will continue to have access throughout. We will also be installing extra signs to make people aware that Clare Street remains open for business.

Celebration Mile is one of 11 projects being delivered as part of Bridgwater Town Deal which is bringing £23.2million of government investment through local projects, helping to boost the social, cultural and economic offerings in the town centre.