A BRIDGWATER councillor has demanded that Somerset Council provide compensation for businesses who have taken a hit from recent roadworks.

Bridgwater is currently subject to a series of concurrent roadworks, with several sections of the Celebration Mile being constructed within the town centre, the upgrade of the Dunball roundabout and disruption on the A39 towards the Gravity ‘gigafactory’ site.

Councillor Diogo Rodrigues, one of two Conservative councillors for the Bridgwater East and Bawdrip division, used a full council meeting in Taunton on Wednesday afternoon (February 12) to inquire whether the council could provide financial compensation for businesses which have seen a drop in trade as a result of these roadworks.

Somerset Council said it was temporary business rate relief and other means of supporting businesses, but added the improvements being put in place would benefit the town in the long-term.

Speaking at Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton town centre, Mr Rodrigues asked: “Businesses in Bridgwater continue to struggle with various pressures in the area, mainly down to the impact of multiple roadworks happening at the same time.

“Now we know that licensing fees for cafés are going to more than double, parking charges are going up – and who knows what else may be around the corner that will add to these various pressures?

“What support is Somerset Council considering to assist businesses across Bridgwater that have experienced reduced footfall and loss of trade due to the cumulative impact of multiple roadworks occurring simultaneously?”

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, responded by quoting comments Mr Rodrigues in support of the Celebration Mile, which he made while heading up the Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce in February 2023.

Mr Rigby quoted: “‘I think there’s always concerns about the short-term effects, but we’ve had continuous engagement with local businesses – we’ve always had our ear to the ground.

‘There is a recognition that when this work is complete, it will make the area more attractive to businesses’ – not my words, but the words of the gentleman who’s just asked the question, and I’m pleased to say I agree with him.”

Neither central government nor local authorities are legally bound to compensate businesses who are affected by roadworks or other highway improvements – though businesses can sue for compensation if these roadworks cause physical or structure damage to their premises.

Mr Rigby (who represents the Lydeard division near Taunton) added: “The Celebration Mile project is a key part of the Bridgwater town programme, which we inherited from Sedgemoor District Council, and it was approved by the town deal board, which includes a broad range of local stakeholders working with the council.

“The project aims to improve the attractiveness of the town centre, to support trade in the longer term.

“The council and its contractors have sought to minimise disruption and engage with local business organisations and individual businesses, both in advance of and during the delivery of these schemes.

“For businesses affected by roadworks in connection with the Celebration Mile project, potential options including temporary business rate relief and the waiving of pavement licences, are currently being considered.

“The project continues provisions for marketing support once works have been completed, to support future trade and capitalise on the improvements created by the Celebration Mile.”

The third and final element of the Celebration Mile roadworks, focussed on Clare Street, officially commenced on Monday morning (February 17), with the council aiming to have work completed by the summer.

One small section of the wider Celebration Mile improvements – along Salmon Parade – will be delayed until the new health and social care academy has been delivered on the former community hospital site.

Mr Rigby said that the council had made every effort to minimise disruption created by the need for multiple sets of roadworks, being carried out by several different companies, happening around the same time period.

He said: “The wider works in the highway networks around Bridgwater are part of various organisations’ programmes, including utility companies, private developers and the council, to invest in essential infrastructure for the town.

“Once we became aware of the huge amount of work necessary in such a short period, we worked with those organisations on a programme of dovetailing works as best as possible.

“We’ve challenged all the contractors, which has in many cases resulted in better traffic management than was initially proposed, and we have even insisted on 24-hour working on some works to reduce the overall programme – such as the recent development-related works on the A39 Bath Road and Puriton Hill.

“The aim of much of this investment is to regenerate and improve the economy of Bridgwater, and will have long-lasting benefits to businesses once completed.”

Mr Rigby concluded by reiterating the current legal position, stating that successive governments had stood by this position.

He said: “Unfortunately, we’re not able to provide compensation to businesses during the construction of this wide-ranging programme of improvements.

“Successive governments have taken the view that businesses should not have the right in law to any given level of passing trade, and that traders must take the risks of loss of temporary traffic flows along with all other risks of running a business.”