The Celebration Mile was an idea that Sedgemoor came up with many years ago. They didn’t really know how or if it would ever happen. Then the Government gave a big pile of money through the ‘Town Deal fund. That allowed the project to happen. It’s now happening. Not everybodies happy. Sedgemoor was abolished and now Somerset County oversees the project. With an ever dwindling staff. Meanwhile here at Bridgwater Town Council we sit frustrated in the middle. This week we called a special meeting of our ‘Town Development Forum’ so that project manager Stuart Martin could answer questions from our councillors and partners. We include the minutes of that meeting in full herein.

Town Development Forum 12.11.2024 

Present –  ccouncillors  Mander (chair) , Smedley, Solomon, Leavy, Pearce, Lerry, Marsh, Hubble, Redman, Loveridge,

Partners & Officers –Stuart Martin (project officer, Celebration Mile), Scott Mason (BTC Amenities), Rob Semple (BTC Communities), Deb Richardson (Somerset Film) , Phil Shepherd (Trades Council) ,Nick Tait (SC), Cllr Hilary Bruce  (SC) , Scott O Hara  (Seed)

Brian Smedley welcome Stuart Martin to the meeting to give an update on the Celebration Mile and to take questions.

Tim Mander – Took the chair and said the Celebration Mile started 3-4 months ago. Doesn’t seem to have made a lot of process. Issues a plenty. Where are we, what happens next and how long?

Stuart Martin – Contractor took possession in July, works started Sept 24 and completion due Sept 2025. Scope for change during tender stage and had to bring value of project down to keep in budget. Can we still deliver? Yes, although there has been  ‘Scope creep’ – trying to manage where we can. Improvements include street furniture and cctv. Risks are mainly underground – uncharted irregular services. Requires intense management. We’ve been stuck at top of Eastover for the whole project so far. Frustrating for Cobblestones and Mercure.  However, this is no longer just a big hole and about to finish off then introduce 1 way system in next couple of weeks -certainly before xmas.

Eastover was started Aug 24 -includes east quay and salmon parade.

Angel Crescent started now-completion June 25. Looks clean and rapid progress

Clare st will start Feb 2025. Its adopted highway-so we’re not sure what’s underground.

Taylor Woodrow – site office in west quay car park. Safe compound. No problems. None like Northgate yard.

Traffic orders in place. Left turn to church st has seen a lot of anti social driving. Included left turns from Broadway into Blake place, which we’ve stopped.

New road and Eastover some works have started. Some cables exposed. So this has an  impact on contingency which we’ve started to dip into. We don’t want to reach the bridge then find we’ve run out of contingency money.

Angel place – new owners. Talking to them about extending scope of work to go into service yard of clare st and wild rocket. But there are land ownership issues

Communication – We have progress calls on teams Monday and Friday plus regular site meetings with design team and contractors. Highways team at Dunball can get to site quickly to sort problems on daily basis. There have been some Traffic issues.

Traders and public will have contacted councillors. But regular liaison with traders is ongoing. Cobblestones say they want compensation. 99% certain none is available re loss of trade. However, those affected need to pursue this thru their somerset councillor. All 4 are present at the meeting. There will be some disruption, but we’ll minimise it and deal as best we can. Facilitate access to and from businesses to ensure trade continues as best as possible.

Approaching Xmas – introduction of 1 way system will work in our favour as roadway will be smaller and more room for pedestrians during Xmas period.

Stuart presented a series of Photos

New road – hi voltage cable. Working with national grid. Cable closer to surface than expected.  Dragonfly Moon says trade severely affected – cant spill out as used to but still pedestrian access. Soon be removed and paving will go thru.

Eastover – small issues cause delays as the pavements need aligning.

Angel Crescent  – working fine. Going quicker, no problems. Manholes are sewer runs. Will be a ‘smell’ disruption

Street furniture – has taken out all street furniture from the scheme. Here’s whats proposed

Bespoke set of seating-similar to Brewery field (they designed them there) Mcgregor smith. Expensive seats. Are they a step too far?

East gate Elephant. An elephant got stuck under the East gate in the 1800s and demolished it. Maybe engrave an elephant graphic? Or a statue? Maybe include st johns hospital

Leigh Redman ;- Can you explain ‘value engineering’

Stuart –Its where we  made savings-especially on east quay and salmon parade

Mick Lerry -if this seating is inappropriate-what do you have that is appropriate?? What about trees? There were lots in original artists impressions. Yes or no? Also active travel areas – what about cycle security re electric bikes etc.

Stuart– a big saving was cutting out the undercover ‘colonade’ area of angel cresc.  These could now  be pop ups or secure cycle storage. Nothing concrete. But there will be cycle hoops in ang cresc and eastover.

Seats-BTC are taking control of seats and furniture as part of devolution. Need to work with scott mason as the guy who’ll run the maintenance. They are bespoke and a local blacksmith could help us. Reference to ship history. Need to work with town council,

Trees- no trees in eastover. Proposing planters and will talk to scott. Traders could sponsor a tree or planter. Trees will be planted on salmon parade amongst mature ones. Cctv poles going in on salmon parade and down eastover.

Dave Loveridge – street furniture – seating needs to have a back. New road – will it be a thoroughfare or not??

Stuart – New road is restricted access and once finished will be no vehicle access from Eastover – but can reverse from Watsons lane. No throughfare. Bollards in place. Pedestrian crossing removed

Rob Semple – indoor market traders-they thought works would be 12 weeks not 12 months. Whats changed?

Stuart – newsletter from contractors went round at start and they knew 12 months – whole project is 12 months and will move down the street. However, It’s also complete and move-so one area could be 3 months then move and 3 months elsewhere.

Nick Tait – It would be nice to have bespoke – but its still a seat – instead could use savings to deliver secure cycle store etc. Functionality might be better. Wider encouragement of walking and cycling.

Jacqui Solomon – are there places where people can view the entire project? Especially if things are changing. Need an update in visual form. Would prefer more seating to an elephant.

Stuart Is the elephant a waste of money?? Maybe we shouldn’t bother. On town deal website the plans exist.  https://www.bridgwatertowndeal.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Celebration_Mile_-_Bridgwater_-_Public_Consultation.pdf

Deb Richardson – why have you gone for different design? Why not a more consistent approach – Northgate is lovely and maybe that style could be continued.

Stuart – original concept of celeb mile had different concept areas.

Brian Smedley There needs to be a % for art in any design and not just the cheapest option. The elephant idea is good, maybe it could be a mural though.  The Fore street ‘street furniture’ is quite recent and could be complimented – remember it needs maintaining.

Stuart – I need to keep within budget, see what ive got. Then st john street is  the next section to think about

Mick Lerry – town team looked at empty shops for display during this time – put designs on display. Artistic impressions etc , create interest

Jacqui Solomon –  Then theres the eastover clock. Its in the  town hall. The 6,000 budget to put back in place is still available.

Stuart – it can be repaired but where to place it? Somewhere else. More central, bus station. What will post pillar be made of?

Brian Smedley -the original clock was on Broadway so that workers cycling to cellophane could see it and wouldn’t be late. Nobody cycles along Broadway now and there’s no cellophane. So, clock could be relocated. That should be down to the Eastover/ Bridgwater North councillors to consult and advise.

Phil Shepherd– There can never be enough trees. The one by the Engine room is special. But we need maybe green walls? In Bradford on Avon their Greenwall is a beautiful thing. You come across it by chance.

HilaryBruce – When we come back again we want options and the public to have some opportunity to influence this project

Tim Mander – We need to take this forward. Next step is to take it through the Town Council in partnership and then come back in 3 or 4 months time.