MOTORISTS face 12 months of traffic “chaos” after roadworks begin on Bridgwater's busiest junction this week.

The warning comes from councillors who have spoken out as work begins on the A38 Taunton Road junction with Broadway – main roads which take thousands of vehicles in and out of Bridgwater every day.

The overhaul of the intersection is the start of a yearlong scheme to improve traffic flow and safety as part of Hinkley Point C construction.

However a row has erupted over comments allegedly made by EDF spokesman David Eccles about the benefits of the works.

Mr Eccles was asked to meet town councillors who said they were unhappy at EDF’s level of consultation with them over the planned work.

Westover ward Labour members reported on their website that, when asked to outline the benefits of the roadworks, Mr Eccles said: “It’s true that for the next 12 months local people will know it's going to be an absolute swine near the Taunton Road/Broadway junction and that the benefits will seem minimal.

“However, these works will be undertaken in eight phases clockwise around the interchange to keep traffic flowing throughout and will be completed within a year.

The comment prompted angry reactions with Leigh Redman, county councillor for Bridgwater South, who said: “The town centre has reached the point where we are approaching gridlock and in fact, the only solution now is to relook at a bypass option and I will be urging members to support that position.”

Speaking to the Mercury, Brian Smedley, councillor for Westover ward, said the works at the junction in particular will worsen the traffic situation in a town that is already gridlocked.

He said: “That particular junction’s been a nightmare for a long time and this will just make it worse. Bridgwater is pretty much gridlocked at the moment anyway.

“This is the central road junction and for residents trying to get from one end of the town to the other it will be an absolute nightmare.

“It’ll be chaos and for what seems to be little benefit.”

The Mercury could not reach Mr Eccles for a comment at the time of going to press; however a spokesperson for EDF said: “When completed the improvements will increase the junction’s capacity, improve traffic flow and make it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The improvements at this crossroads will be complete within a year.

All the traffic lights will be upgraded, the junctions will be adjusted and crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians improved.

“The new lights will interact with other lights in the town, improving drivers’ journeys through Bridgwater.”

Cllr David Hall, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for business, inward investment and policy, said: “Bridgwater is growing.

“That’s why significant investment is planned for the infrastructure in the town and its surrounding areas to ensure traffic keeps moving as fast and as efficiently as possible.

“We are working closely with EDF Energy and other partners to plan for an increase in the amount of traffic travelling through Bridgwater over the next decade, and the work on Taunton Road/Broadway is an important step forward in this process.

“We will all need to play our part in future to keep Bridgwater moving as efficiently as possible, especially during construction of the improvement works.”

But at a meeting last Thursday Bridgwater Town Council voted in favour of a motion put forward by Labour councillor Leigh Redman, which called for an immediate halt of all junction improvement works and for a bypass to be built north of Bridgwater.

Town clerk Alan Hurford said: “The town council is on record from day one calling for a bypass but it’s been like bashing our heads against a brick wall.”