Latest news with #MikeRigby
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Disruption warning for drivers as works resume in Bridgwater
Motorists are being warned of possible disruption when a partial road closure comes into place.A section of Church Street, in Bridgwater, is expected to remain closed until the end of July as work on the Celebration Mile project closure will also affect the eastern area of Eastover to allow Somerset Council's contractors Taylor Woodrow to install new kerb lines and resurface pavements. Councillor, Mike Rigby, said: "We will make sure that pedestrians and shoppers, businesses and residents, will continue to have access throughout. We will also be installing extra signs to make people aware that Church Street remains open for business." One of 11 projects being delivered as part of the Bridgwater Town Deal, Celebration Mile is being funded through £23.2m worth of government council said a diversion route would be provided for residents of London and residents have been invited to a drop-in session on 12 June to learn more about the project.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shopping centre demolition site to become green space
The site of a former shopping centre, which was bought and is being demolished by a council, is to become a new temporary green space. Somerset Council purchased Glovers Walk in 2024 with £2.7m of government funding. It plans to build new shops and affordable housing on the site but has warned redevelopment may not be completed until 2030. Yeovil MP Adam Dance said he was "looking forward" to the demolition site being transformed into a new "temporary" green space by the autumn. Work to demolish the site is now ramping up, according to the Local Democracy Report. By the end of the summer contractors will have pulled down the remaining structures and cleared the site. More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset Councillor Mike Rigby said it gives the council an "opportunity to find a really good redevelopment proposal" for it. "We looked at whether or not it was viable to do anything else with [the shopping centre], decided that it wasn't, and so here we are now bringing it down," he said. "We think the interim use might be something that lasts for perhaps between one and three years, so the longer-term plan will follow after that." In January Yeovil MP Adam Dance suggested the green space should be used to hold major events, including a Christmas market which he believed could rival the existing event held in Bath. "It's really important to have that green space in the centre of town," he said. "Wouldn't it be great to get off the bus and be able to walk through a nice green area and walk up through town." Initial proposals for the long-term future of the site are being worked on by the council using funding from Homes England. Regeneration proposals are understood to include both Glovers Walk and the former Wilko unit on Middle Street, which remains under council ownership. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Empty shopping centre to be demolished in town revamp Shopping centre can be knocked down after council deal Somerset Council
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Yeovil shopping centre demolition site to become green space
The site of a former shopping centre, which was bought and is being demolished by a council, is to become a new temporary green Council purchased Glovers Walk in 2024 with £2.7m of government plans to build new shops and affordable housing on the site but has warned redevelopment may not be completed until MP Adam Dance said he was "looking forward" to the demolition site being transformed into a new "temporary" green space by the autumn. Work to demolish the site is now ramping up, according to the Local Democracy the end of the summer contractors will have pulled down the remaining structures and cleared the site. Councillor Mike Rigby said it gives the council an "opportunity to find a really good redevelopment proposal" for it."We looked at whether or not it was viable to do anything else with [the shopping centre], decided that it wasn't, and so here we are now bringing it down," he said."We think the interim use might be something that lasts for perhaps between one and three years, so the longer-term plan will follow after that." In January Yeovil MP Adam Dance suggested the green space should be used to hold major events, including a Christmas market which he believed could rival the existing event held in Bath."It's really important to have that green space in the centre of town," he said."Wouldn't it be great to get off the bus and be able to walk through a nice green area and walk up through town."Initial proposals for the long-term future of the site are being worked on by the council using funding from Homes proposals are understood to include both Glovers Walk and the former Wilko unit on Middle Street, which remains under council ownership.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New '£2m footbridge' in Taunton to replace too narrow crossing
Work on a new £2m footbridge to replace a crossing too narrow for cyclists, is to begin in current bridge, which links Taunton's Morrisons supermarket with Coal Orchard, is not wide enough for both cyclists and pedestrians to Council's planning committee approved plans for a 4m (13ft) wide, more cycle-friendly bridge, last project will be paid for with a £14m grant from the government's Future High Streets fund and additional council funding. The pedestrian bridge links up with the National Cycle Network route three, which runs along the River Tone and onto the Bridgwater and Taunton currently it does not meet the Department for Transport's guidelines for a cycling compliant bridge and cyclists have to dismount if they want to use documents, published in January, suggest the replacement bridge will cost up to £2m, according to the Local Democracy Service. A report published in February, indicated that work on the new bridge would be completed by a spokesman for the council, said there were still a "number of stages to go through"."Some of the foundations of the existing bridge will be adapted and used, and the rest will be removed in stages," they explained."We can't confirm the installation cost until the detailed design process is complete."Councillor Mike Rigby, said the scheme was in the final stage of design and work on site was "likely to begin in July".
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tidal barrier construction aided by barge arrival
An "exciting milestone" has been reached in the construction of the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier in Somerset after the arrival of a new working platform. A jack-up barge - a stable working platform - arrived from Liverpool on Thursday for works on the tidal barrier. The Haven Seaseven will enable construction of the cofferdam, an enclosure pumped dry to allow work below the water level, and bearing piles for the barrier's foundations. Rachel Burden, from the Environment Agency, said: "The jack-up barge is a critical piece of infrastructure and its arrival in Bridgwater marks an exciting milestone in the construction of what will be one of the biggest flood defence schemes in the country." More news stories for Somerset Listen to the latest news for Somerset The journey from Liverpool Docks, which began on 27 February, required careful planning, taking into account optimal tides, Somerset Council said. En route, the barge docked at Barry Port where a 300-tonne crane was loaded, before continuing its journey to Bridgwater. The tidal barrier will protect 11,300 homes and 1,500 businesses from tidal flooding in Bridgwater and nearby communities from 2027. The scheme comprises the tidal barrier, operational site with control building and store, downstream flood banks at Chilton Trinity, Pawlett and Combwich, and 12 upstream sites with improved fish and eel passage. Somerset councillor Mike Rigby said: "As we see more frequent severe weather, anything that reduces the flood risk in the county is welcome, alongside work to help communities adapt and become more resilient to flooding." Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. One of UK's biggest flood defences gets £43m boost Major flood prevention scheme given government sign-off MP pushes for tidal lagoon in Bristol Channel Somerset Council
