The long-awaited regeneration of Bridgwater's historic Northgate Docks could start before the year's end, following the appointment of new design consultants for the project. The docks, which mark the northern end of the historic Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, were selected for a £5.2m makeover as part of the £23.2m Bridgwater town deal.
Despite a public consultation event in December 2023, there has been minimal tangible progress at the site while other town regeneration projects have advanced, such as the Celebration Mile which will eventually connect the docks to the railway station.
After months of pressure from Bridgwater Town Council, the Canal and River Trust, responsible for managing the canal, finally reopened the towpath between Albert Street and West Street bridges in December 2024, after a three-year closure due to public safety concerns.
Somerset Council has now engaged design consultants WSP to expedite the project, with the goal of securing planning permission and initiating on-site work before spring 2026.
Out of the £5.2m allocated for the docks in the Bridgwater town deal, £4.2m will be directly invested in the grade-II listed docks, with the remaining £1m dedicated to enhancing walking and cycling facilities in the immediate area, including a new swing bridge over Newton Lock.
The marina facility is set to be modernised and berths expanded to create opportunities for leisure use – with the project summary on the town deal's official website indicating there would be 40 residential mooring spaces in addition to 26 moorings reserved for leisure. The new active travel links being planned around the docks will connect with the Celebration Mile, the canal towpath and an improved cycle link to the A39 Western Way via Linham Road, which was completed in November 2024.
Following their appointment, WSP will conduct further consultations with local residents and businesses to help shape the detailed design of the scheme ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: "In the past the docks were the commercial heartbeat of the town, and we hope that this project will help to breathe new life into the area to provide a sustainable future that supports new commercial investment, improves the local environment and respects the needs of the many and varied users including local residents."
The council aims to secure planning permission for the docks regeneration by late-summer or early autumn, allowing it to contract for the necessary building and construction work before March 2026, when any unspent or committed town deal funding must be returned to central government.
Paul Moore, chairman of the Bridgwater town deal board, added: "The docks are part of the history of Bridgwater and have been languishing in a sorry state.
"This town deal scheme hopes to kick-start the process of becoming a heritage place of leisure activity, which becomes a building block for the long-term regeneration of the docks area."
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