 Work has now started on a multi-million pound road scheme which will help ease congestion in Bridgwater. The first turf was formally cut for the Colley Lane Southern Access Road (CLSAR) today (Thursday, 19 April), kicking-off the £18.4m scheme that will include two new bridges, 840 metres of carriageway and new cycle and footways. As well as connecting Parrett Way to Marsh Lane to tackle congestion along Taunton Road and Broadway, the scheme will also provide access to the Colley Lane Industrial Estate from the south.Construction firm Whitemountain is building the road which will also open up brownfield development sites between the River Parrett and the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal – supporting the delivery of planned housing and employment land. County Councillor says “Long Overdue”Cllr Leigh Redman , one of the County Councillors for the area that the bypass will benefit commented “I was so pleased to have been on site today to see the first turf cut. For many years I have been pressing for this important link road to be started. Somerset County Council have been facing financial pressures that have caused delays to the start. I have continued to keep pressure on officials at County Hall to ensure it stayed on the table. The road will help to relieve pressure on Taunton Road, already suffering because of HPC traffic. To be able to attend the first turf being cut on site is great news, I look forward to working with Highways and residents to overcome any issues during the 18 month build, so that we can bring the long overdue bypass into reality.”The £18.4m scheme is being funded by contributions from EDF Energy and housing developers, the DfT Productivity Investment Fund and Somerset County Council’s capital programme.  David Eccles, EDF Energy’s Head of Stakeholder Engagement for Hinkley Point C, said: “We are very pleased to see work started on this important addition to Bridgwater’s road network. EDF Energy’s £20 million package of road improvements complements this additional investment. The Colley Lane scheme helps to ensure that local people and businesses share in the opportunities created, with Hinkley Point C being a huge driver of economic growth.” Whitemoutain has been holding public information events to keep people up to date on the plans. Brian Harper, senior site engineers, said: “We are keen to work with the community and keep them informed as our works progress. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to visit our team, at the public information sessions in the Canalside Conference Centre earlier this week. We are really looking forward to delivering this project to improve infrastructure that will support the growth of Bridgwater town”.  Mayor says “Great Benefit”Mayor of Bridgwater, Cllr Graham Granter, said “This really will be a great benefit to our town, to see contractors of site and the works starting is great, I am looking forward to seeing the new bridges going in, they will provide access for pedestrian and cyclists, as well as give some residents decent vehicular access to their home for the first time” Stay up to date with the latest traffic and roadworks news by visiting www.travelsomerset.co.uk or following @TravelSomerset on Twitter.
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