Introduction

According to Sustrans, “Too many new housing developments are forcing people to depend on cars for their everyday journeys, thanks to a lack of local amenities and poor public transport links.” And Transport for New Homes say, “Many new greenfield housing estates are adding to traffic jams, carbon emissions and are trapping communities into car-dependence.”

That’s not the future we want for Bridgwater, and it’s why we actively monitor all major developments in the area to encourage the local authorities towards better bike routes.

The building of new walking and cycling infrastructure within Bridgwater and our surrounding villages is and will be a long, drawn-out process. Building significant corridors across our town — north, south, east and west — will take major funding from various large companies, developers, business organisations and our local councils. In this respect, the group’s work is firstly to define the existing Bridgwater infrastructure and outlying areas.

We have examined the existing routes across town and planned out the ideal routes for the future. The foundation of this work is our Cycle Audits, which have involved much analysis and review, the gathering of much data, and then the comprehensive mapping out of priority routes across the Bridgwater Maps, including links to the town centre.

Infrastructure Pages

Under the Infrastructure heading there are two layers: the first is Major Schemes, which covers the corridors across town — north, south, west and east. These will become the main routes to use by all, but most importantly by the working population, our commuters.

The next layer considers each of the town’s districts; over the years to come, we aim to include detailed information under each of these, namely: Wembdon, Durleigh, Newtown, Chilton Trinity, Westover, Eastover, Sydenham, Bower Estate, Bridge Estate, Hamp, Stockmoor, Willstock and the Town Centre Circuit.

Bridgwater Local Walking & Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

The Bridgwater LCWIP was issued in late May 2022.

It’s taken a long time to get this published, and from our point of view, there is still more work and updates to be completed. However, the LCWIP does provide the reader with a comprehensive view of the current Bridgwater cycling and walking network. It covers many topics, such as: LCWIP vision and aims; background evidence for assessing the networks; a plan and mapping system for network future delivery; corridor schemes including strategic routes; missing links and a town centre view (some updates required here); wayfinding and encouraging active travel and the network delivery next steps

Most importantly, the LCWIP will carry with it the potential for future government funding for new safe cycling & walking infrastructure.

You can also view the LCWIPs for Taunton and Yeovil.

Bridgwater Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (May 2022) front cover

Current Schemes

Current schemes those that have either:

  • received funding or have agreed-in-principle funding requirements;
  • have design approval granted or feasibility study in place;
  • route drawings have been produced (generally via highways authority) or will be created in due course following formal approval/authorisation.
  • Dunball Roundabout to Express Park: EDF-funded project, route alongside the A38 (off-road) from the Dunball roundabout, through Ascot Drive and Express Park roundabouts, to conclude at a link path to the River Parrett bank on Western Way. Scheme completed
  • Express Park to Docks Area (via Linham Road): EDF-funded project, route following the River Parrett bank from Western Way, loop link to Linham Road, continuing to the Docks area. Scheme In Progress!
  • Wembdon Church Path: BACC feasibility study produced with approval of the Wembdon Parish Council to improve section of western route. Somerset County Council (SCC) to fit into LCWIP programme. Scheme Not Started
  • Wembdon Road to Victoria Road (via Halesleigh Road): Part of the Government initiative, funded from the Somerset Active Travel Cell group. BACC intervention report sent to the County Highways. Scheme completed

Future Schemes

Future schemes those that either: have the intial plans in place or are still to be produced; or planning consent via developers is going through due process, but are considered significant schemes.

  • Westonzoyland to Bridgwater link: Route in its infancy, working with solar farm company to potentially develop. Route will link River Lane and Bull Horn Drove, cross NCN 3, creating a longer and safer alternative route to town. We are working on this with the Westonzoyland Area Cycling Campaign group, Sustrans, Somerset County Highways, Westonzoyland Parish Council and various landowners.
  • Bower Lane (or Green Lane), Bath Road to Westonzoyland Road: Bower Farm housing development to start 2022, complete off-road route to be pursued.
  • Liveable Neighbourhood (West Quay to Binford Place): BACC & Town Council working forum, ongoing meetings and actions.
  • Gravity Cycle Path (Woolavington to Puriton): Discussions held with Gravity Director. Part of the link route to Downend and onto Bristol Road segregated EDF route.

If you’d like to know more about any of the above schemes, please email bridgwaterareacyclingcampaign@gmail.com.