Sir Ashley Fox MP has criticised Somerset Council for what he described on BBC Somerset Radio this morning as its “passive” approach to the traffic problems in Bridgwater, accusing the Council of doing “nothing” while congestion worsens.
Ashley told listeners that the recently imposed one-way system on East Quay and Salmon Parade is “making matters worse”, and said residents are losing patience with the Council’s refusal to act. He said that “Traffic in Bridgwater is becoming intolerable and the Council are doing nothing.”
He explained that Somerset Council approved the one-way system on the basis that the Cross Rifles roundabout would be upgraded, a scheme intended to relieve pressure where the A39 and A38 meet. Instead, the Council cancelled the upgrade last year.
“They’ve cancelled the upgrade but gone ahead with the one-way system. A very first step is for Somerset Council to get rid of that one-way system, that is a chief cause of the problem.”
Responding to the Liberal Democrat Council’s claim that the project was merely “rescoped”, Ashley said the revised work, mainly pedestrian and cycling improvements, would do nothing to increase capacity at the junction.
He also warned that housing developments were approved on the assumption that the Cross Rifles upgrade would happen saying, “If Somerset Council are not going to go ahead with that, then we need to look again at all these developments that were granted permission on the basis of that upgrade, and certainly stop any more going ahead.”
Ashley emphasised that the Eastover improvements themselves have cross-party support. His issue is with the decision to force East Quay and Salmon Parade into one-way traffic without delivering the promised mitigation.
“Residents tell me repeatedly that this one-way system is causing chaos. Somerset Council are so passive, they sit there and do nothing. They just don’t seem to care about the congestion they’ve caused.”
He confirmed he will continue pressing both locally and nationally for action:
“It’s been a month since I highlighted this problem and the Council still hasn’t lifted a finger. I’m going to keep on campaigning and keep on highlighting their complete incompetence and inaction.”
