ENERGY giant EDF has been branded ‘ignorant’ over plans for a two-year scheme to improve a busy Bridgwater road.

The works, at the Bristol Road and Wylds Road junctions on the Drove, are due to start later in January and will see a number of upgrades the energy firm says will reduce the impact of construction traffic for Hinkley C on the area.

But Councillor Leigh Redman, who represents Bridgwater South on Somerset County Council, said he feels EDF has been ‘ignorant’ to the amount the Bridgwater community will suffer as a result of the planned works.

“When I first saw these proposals I was instantly struck by the obvious ignorance EDF feel towards our Bridgwater communities,” he said. “I am concerned for residents and businesses in Bridgwater that will be impacted by the works in that area.

“A number of small businesses located on the road will lose passing trade. I think EDF need to recognise they need to give some of these smaller businesses compensation for the trade they will lose.”

The work will see a temporary one-way system being put in place while the improvements are completed.

Benefits of the scheme are to make it easier to turn left from Western Way into Wylds Road and to provide more space for vehicles to wait to turn right from Bristol Road into the Drove so as not to hold up traffic wanting to go straight on into Bridgwater.

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

An EDF spokesman said: “We have worked closely with the local authorities to agree a series of measures to help reduce the impact of construction traffic on local roads.

“As well as investing £16m in road improvement schemes, we are also constructing a temporary jetty at the Hinkley Point C site so that over 80 per cent of the aggregate material needed to build the power station will arrive by sea.”

Cllr Redman said he has put himself forward to work with EDF to help them ensure any problems can be solved during the project, saying: “Communication has to be a prime consideration, a point made by both public and councillors at Thursday’s Bridgwater town council meeting.

“I felt it important to make the case for our businesses that would suffer during these proposed works and try to build some support by seeking a communication process that allows two way sharing of information.

“My motion was supported unanimously by the Town Council and demands that EDF put in place and detail an extensive consultation process, for businesses and residents straight away and throughout any works, to allow constant updates for the duration of the project.”

“I feel that EDF should put in place a process that allows businesses to be compensated if they can demonstrate adverse financial effects during the proposed works.

He added: “EDF need to recognise that the mitigation packages put in place as part of the DCO do not meet the needs of now, something needs to be done before local business go bust because of these works.”

David Eccles, head of stakeholder engagement at EDF, said: “We have worked closely with local councils, organisations and residents on a series of road improvements across the area.

“The works in northern Bridgwater will improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians and the new lights at The Drove will link in with others already in the town to help traffic flow more freely.”