BRIDGWATER is set for a turbulent period with a huge amount of development and the town growing by up to 20 per cent in the next 15 years.

Mayor Alex Glassford sat down with the Mercury to discuss his hopes for the town, and what is like being the mayor.

"I came down here in November 1982, originally to Cannington before later moving into the town," mayor Glassford said.

"This is the longest I have stayed in a part of Britain since leaving Scotland, originally move around a lot spending a year or two in each place."

So what is it that kept Alex in Bridgwater all this time?

"One thing about Bridgwater is that there is a strong sense of community about it, and being the mayor has given me the opportunity to find out all about the smaller organisations and charities that you do not always hear about.

"I meet the most amazing people on a weekly basis that I would not necessarily come across if I wasn't mayor," he said.

"It is an honour to be the mayor, and I honestly didn't realise how important a role it was initially."

"Bridgwater doesn’t have the best reputation but it is nonsense, the people are friendly, and for a town of its size there is very little trouble.

"They are hardy too and good at overcoming problems. There are problems with the traffic at the moment but there have always been traffic problems."

Mayor Glassford believes it is an exciting time to be in Bridgwater with the town set to grow so rapidly in the next decade or so.

"There is going to be a huge amount of development over the next 10 years with the nuclear power station and all the industry and infrastructure that brings with it.

"Now we as councillors have to try and prepare, not just for the development itself and a sustainable future once the plant is operational.

"There is likely to be a boom period, but that won’t always be there, and it is important to look ahead and plan long term."

The mayor, who is also a councillor for the Fairfax Ward, said he has concerns about the housing markets and the possibility of private landlords pricing out people on lower incomes, but said there were a great deal of positives.

"Bridgwater College is going from strength to strength with great apprenticeship schemes producing skilled young people.

"Traders such as pubs and restaurants could benefit and if we can get through this initial difficulty, the footfall in the town will be tremendous and business should thrive in the town.

"The markets on a Friday bring people in and the West Quay development is fantastic where you can sit out and have a drink looking over the river.

"We hope to make the Bridgwater to Taunton Canal walk more popular too, it is only about 12 miles but has real potential."

Mayor Glassford worked for the NHS for 10 years as a senior manager before working for 14 years as the general manager at the Paragon Laundry in Bridgwater.

"It has been a fantastic experience being mayor, and I feel very privileged to have been given this opportunity."