CYCLISTS and pedestrians will be able get into the centre of Bridgwater easier and safer after two new routes were officially opened.

The routes, which have been developed as part of The Bridgwater Way project, were opened by Cllr David Hall, deputy leader of the Somerset County Council with the help of children and parents who are set to directly benefit from the improvements.

The first route has involved widening a path and building a new bridge at Stockmoor Rhyne which will improve connections from the south of Bridgwater to the town centre.

The narrow bridge on Showground roundabout has also been widened, creating a safe route linking the existing paths to the north and the south.Route two links the recently improved canal path to the town centre via Old Taunton Road and Blake Gardens.

This has involved creating a new shared path through Blake Gardens, access to Broadway and new lighting in and around the subway.

The two new routes are a significant development of The Bridgwater Way project aimed at transforming travel in the town.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, member for highways and transport at Somerset County Council, said: “This is a great step forward.

“For the first time there is now a safe, mainly off road cycle route from Stockmoor Village to Bridgwater town centre, making more areas of the town safer for cyclists and pedestrians and easing access to the town centre.”

For more details on The Bridgwater Way visit www.thebridgwaterway.co.uk