Minister: Bridgwater traffic concerns will be brought to department’s attention

Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox has raised concerns in Parliament about the impact of Somerset Council’s decision to cancel the Cross Rifles roundabout upgrade and introduce a new one-way system on Salmon Parade and East Quay.

The roundabout upgrade, funded by the Government, was cancelled by the Liberal Democrat-run Somerset Council in 2024 with the funding diverted to the Dunball roundabout improvements. Ashley told MPs that removing this key infrastructure upgrade has contributed to severe congestion across Bridgwater.

Speaking during Business Questions, he highlighted how residents are now facing longer and more costly journeys. He pointed to the experience of Sadie, a local resident whose weekly taxi fare to the supermarket has risen from £7 to £20 since the new traffic layout was introduced. Ashley Fox explained that the Council’s one-way system now forces far more vehicles through the Cross Rifles roundabout. Without the upgrade that the Liberal Democrats scrapped, the junction cannot cope with the additional pressure, leading to heavier congestion, longer delays and increasing frustration for residents.

Responding on behalf of the Government, the Minister said, “Local infrastructure is so important … I will draw the case to the attention of the department, but also say in the business that we have announced in the devolution Bill, there may be an opportunity to raise some of these issues about how local authorities can be held to account for the decisions that they make.”

Following the exchange, Ashley Fox said, “It is welcome that the Minister has agreed to draw Bridgwater’s case to the attention of the department. By cancelling the Cross Rifles upgrade, the Council has diverted more traffic through a junction that was never improved, and residents are paying the price in longer journeys, missed appointments and increased travel costs.”