ONE of Bridgwater's key routes is now closed for three weeks as part of a £39 million project.

The Clink road near Northgate is closed from the junction at East Quay for 270m up to the Northgate car park between Monday, August 22 and Sunday, September 11.

The road closure will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week for the duration while Wessex Water carry out sewerage improvements as part of a £39 million project to improve bathing water quality in the Burnham-on-Sea area.

The diversion route takes you 2.5km around the closure which will add at least seven minutes to your journey.

Meanwhile, nearby Valetta Place be closed from August 22 to November 20.

People in the town have expressed fears over more traffic chaos.

Tony Dando, owner of Global Furnitures which is just slightly up the road from the closure, said the road works would have a big effect on local busi- nesses.

“Every time they do roadworks along here it puts traffic at a standstill, and it means people will not want to come down this way,” Mr Dando said.

“It has a big effect on businesses but there are no allowances in terms of re- ducing business rates for those weeks when we are most affected even though it is not our fault.”

Steph Lord, director at Carleton-Lord Carpets, said: “I am sure it will put peo- ple off coming into Bridgwater.

“I have spoken to people before when they were working on the crossings and they said they would not come this way because of the traffic,” she added.

A spokesman for Wessex Water said: “We would advise motorists who nor - mally use the route to allow extra time for their journey. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the essential work that will help to protect the local environment.”