The decision, made by Somerset Council leader Councillor Bill Revans, follows a review and consultation on the Celebration Mile project. This project had previously introduced a southbound one-way system on Salmon Parade and a northbound one on East Quay, alongside wider pavements, a new cycle lane, and a westbound one-way system on Eastover.
The Celebration Mile project is a key part of the Bridgwater Vision regeneration strategy, supported by Bridgwater Town Council and funded through the Bridgwater Town Deal. A review was commissioned in response to a Full Council motion in December 2025.
An independent technical review considered five options for East Quay and Salmon Parade. These included maintaining the existing arrangement, reversing Salmon Parade to northbound, introducing two-way traffic on both roads, or various one-way configurations. The public consultation showed a strong preference for Option B, reinstating two-way traffic.
Of the 1,311 respondents, 72% favoured Option B. Councillor Revans stated that the council had listened to local residents and businesses. He acknowledged a potential risk to pedestrians at the Town Bridge junction but confirmed that £160,000 from the Town Deal Grant and up to £400,000 from the Department For Transport Accessibility Grant Funding is available for mitigation measures, such as pedestrian crossings.
