MAJOR changes are set to take place on one of Bridgwater's main routes which will see roadworks in place for nearly eight months in the new year.

After being touted for many years, there will be a series of road improvements between The Clink and The Drove in Bridgwater.

The works are due to begin in the new year on Monday January 15 and last until Friday, August 31.

Improvements include create new two-metre-wide footpaths and cycleways between The Leggar and Quantock Terrace.

There will also be a new mini-roundabout created on The Leggar, as well as work to create a new priority way on The Leggar.

Work is also due to be carried to the traffic lights on The Clink.

Exact details of the roadworks have not yet been confirmed however there is a phased traffic management plan in place which includes periods of traffic control as well as road closures at certain times.

The area has been beset with major plans as the Northgate car park was closed for nearly a year as Wessex Water constructed a storm-water storage tank.

This work has reduced the volume of storm water discharged to the River Parrett with the ultimate aim of improving the water quality at Burnham-on-Sea.

For a number of years there has been a proposal to create a road link between the northern end of The Leggar and The Drove in order to provide another route out of Bridgwater town centre towards the A38 Bristol Road and to provide some relief to the Cross Rifles junction where The Clink meets the A38 and the A39.

This road proposal has the support of both Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council and appears in the Local Transport Plan.

This will also help traffic relating to the planned expansion of the Bridgwater Retail Park

There are plans for a number of amendments to the existing retail park with plans to give the current shops a new look with additions of canopies and fascias.

Meanwhile there is also set to be development on land to the north and east of the existing retail park.

The expansion is expected to lead to the creation of 220 full time jobs for the town as well as number of temporary jobs during the construction phase.

A spokesman for developer NJL Consulting said: “The proposed development would clearly be a major employer and provide a boost to the local economy.”

“The proposals will benefit the area through delivering much-needed re-use of a long-term vacant site. This proposal will make the area more attractive to other commercial operators, thereby encouraging re-occupation of other vacant sites nearby, which can in turn result in further job creation.”

The plans would also see the current Lidl store demolished with a new Lidl foodstore created on the new area of the retail park.

There would be up to 18 new stores in total on the Bridgwater Retail Park once work is complete.