Bridgwater’s new link road Squibbers Way will open to the public next week with a spectacular mini-squibbing display.

Construction of the new road is nearly complete and Somerset County Council is working with main contractor Whitemountain and Bridgwater Carnival to organise a mini-squibbing display to celebrate the road’s link to Bridgwater’s famous tradition.

Squibbers Way was the name chosen by the people of Bridgwater following a public vote earlier this year.

The short opening ceremony will start at 6pm on Monday, December 16 on the new Crossways Bridge, the second of the bridges on Squibbers Way, which carries the road over the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.

Bridgwater Carnival’s Guy Fawkes cart will be the first vehicle to cross the bridge

Members of the public are welcome to attend but should be aware there is no designated parking or facilities at this location.

On the night, the bridge can be accessed on foot or by bicycle from either direction.

Cyclists supporting The Bridgwater Way are also organising a Glow Ride along the new road after the squibbing.

If you would like to be part of their illuminated parade please email TBW@sustrans.org.uk in advance.

The road will open to vehicles at some point after the squibbing later on December 16.

An exact time has not been given, with a Somerset County Council spokesman saying ‘it will depend how many people are there and the road will be opened when it’s safe to do so’.

Participants should be confident cyclists with bikes in good working order and front and rear lights – additional illuminations will be provided.

The Bridgwater Way is focused on helping to keep Bridgwater moving as the town goes through a period of significant growth and investment.

By providing information, advice and tools people can choose the best times to travel and routes to use and even try travelling in a way that’s new to them.

Squibbers Way is the new £18.4m road linking Marsh Lane to Parrett Way and was previously referred to as the Colley Lane Southern Access Road.

It is designed to help ease congestion along Taunton Road and Broadway by providing an alternative route for lorries serving the Colley Lane estate.

The road also opens up brownfield land in the area for development.

The first recorded evidence of squibbing in Bridgwater was back in 1716.

Because of their size, the squibs are tied to poles (coshes) and, once lit, are held above the squibber’s head until the firework extinguishes.

The Squib itself is a large firework, strapped to a cosh (a solid block of wood which is attached to a large pole).

Squibs were originally made in homes throughout the town, but are now produced to a secret formula by leading firework manufacturers, especially for Bridgwater Carnival.

In 1929, more 2,000 squibs were ignited during the course of carnival night.

More information about the Squibbers Way project can be found by visiting www.clsar.co.uk.