The construction of a new link road in Bridgwater is also helping benefit good causes in the area.

Whitemountain, a construction company which is part of the Breedon Group, is Somerset County Council’s principal contractor for the £18.4m Colley Lane Southern Access Road (CLSAR) infrastructure project.

As part of its tender bid for this work, Whitemountain made a commitment to improving the community, not just the road.

Whitemountain have already produced and donated 20 vestibular wobble boards to children’s charity Brainwave, which is based near the development.

Alexis Hawkes, Fundraising Administrator at Brainwave, said: “Whitemoutain and their staff have kindly made 20 vestibular boards which will be used by the children who attend the Charity and will enable them to reach their full potential.

“Brainwave are so grateful to Whitemountain for their support and they will be helping us to make an amazing difference to the lives of children with disabilities. We very much look forward to working together.”

Whitemountain’s other charity and community commitments include:

• Investing in local people, including employing local students and sub-contractors.
• Various fundraisers to support Brainwave and a pledge to renovate the charity’s sensory garden.
• Support and donations for the Trussell Trust and the Somerset Community Foundation.
• Taking the ‘Big Build Scheme’ into local schools. The aim of this project is to give children insight into the construction industry and encourage them to think about the structures around them.
• As part of its Considerate Contractors pledge, the site team even provided ‘pet rehydration points’ for thirsty dogs next to the canal footpath during the recent heatwave.

Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We’ve been really impressed with the efforts of Whitemountain so far to get involved with the local community. Not only are they helping deliver a much needed piece of infrastructure, they are also providing jobs for local people and going the extra mile by supporting local schools and charities.”

Whitemountain’s Project Manager, Gareth McNern, said, “Whitemountain values and respects local communities and we can’t do our jobs without an ongoing dialogue with local residents and businesses.  In fact, giving back where possible to support the local community remains one of our top priorities.

“In addition to providing employment for the local area, we are committed to building strong community relationships through charitable donations and volunteering.

“Whitemountain believes in developing future talent. As part of our commitment to the Bridgwater area, we will embark on a Big Build Scheme which will see local children receiving an exciting hands-on introduction to the world of Civil Engineering.”

The CLSAR includes two new bridges, 840 metres of carriageway and new cycle and footways and will help ease congestion along Taunton Road and Broadway by connecting Parrett Way to Marsh Lane and providing access to the Colley Lane Industrial Estate from the south.

It will also open up brownfield development sites between the River Parrett and the Taunton and Bridgwater Canal.

Piling work and construction of the foundations for the new Somerset Bridge are well underway. Check the latest progress reports and photographs at www.clsar.co.uk or follow @TravelSomerset on Twitter for scheme updates.

• The £18.4m Colley Lane scheme is funded by EDF S106 contributions, housing developer S106 contributions, the DfT Productivity Investment Fund and Somerset County Council’s capital programme.

Aerial view showing progress on the northern and southern abutments to the new bridge over the River Parrett

Gareth McNern, Project Manager, is pictured with volunteers from The Trussell Trust Food bank.

Niamh-Anne McNally, Communications Officer, is pictured with Alexis Hawkes, Fundraising Administrator at Brainwave.

Bailey is pictured with his owner Bill and Whitemountain’s Engineering student Conall Johnston as he refills the water bowl whilst doing his rounds on site.