TAUNTON’S second park and ride scheme opens on today – although not everyone is happy about it.

The £4m Gateway Park and Ride, beside the A358 just off the M5 roundabout, offers a £1.70 return into town, with buses every six minutes at peak times and 10 minutes at other times.

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “This project is part of the long-term vision to reduce the growth of traffic congestion in Taunton.

“The new bus service represents a convenient and affordable way to travel into town.

But Ruishton resident Doug Lowe said the site is not ready yet.

He said: “It isn’t finished – it has no security building with toilets, waiting or rest area or proper cycle path.

“And they’re opening it with no traffic lights to control vehicles going in and out of the site or using Ruishton Lane – it’s an accident waiting to happen.

“The road has 34,000 cars and lorries going past the site each day – I’m sure if it was anyone else trying top do this, they’d be stopped in their tracks.”

A county spokeswoman said arrangements are in place for facilities to be available for today’s opening.

She added that traffic leaving the site would be barred from turning right until lights were installed.

In the meantime, vehicles wishing to head toward Ilminster will need to go around the motorway roundabout.

Silk Mills Park and Ride to the west of Taunton has been in operation for three years.