A £10 MILLION project has been unveiled to upgrade Bridgwater's water supply - but fears have been raised it could lead to 18 months of road works.

Wessex Water has announced the massive investment to re-line and replace water mains, flush the water supply system and eliminate discoloured water in the area.

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger welcomed the investment but said he feared road works could come at the worst time possible for motorists and recession-hit businesses.

H

e said: “At the height of the worst recession in living memory and with all the pressures on businesses and infrastructure, I wonder whether this is the right time.

“We cannot afford to have long road closures. The main routes in and out of Bridgwater are busy now, what will they be like if they are dug up for a month - it will be totally unacceptable for the people of Bridgwater.”

Wessex Water says it will do everything possible to minimise disruption but has not ruled out road closures, which Somerset County Council says could affect A-roads.

The project will be carried out in two phases over 18 months.

The first phase, beginning in Quantock Road next January, will involve work in Wembdon, along the NDR, and between the River Parrett and across Bristol Road.

Wessex Water says there will be traffic calming measures including traffic lights during this phase.

Steve Leahy, Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: “At the end of the day, if this is something that needs to be done to improve the town in the long term then it is a good thing but you need to ask if there is a right or a wrong time to do it?”

Would these proposals affect traffic in and around Bridgwater? Does the town’s water supply need improving? The Mercury wants to know YOUR views.

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