PLANS to pedestrianise three key streets in Taunton town centre are being tweaked following a public consultation.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is still unable to say when traffic will be limited in East Street, Hammet Street and St James Street.

A spokesman said officers are currently working on "more detailed proposals" to the schemes, which were originally due to go live last autumn as part of an 18-month trial.

They are looking into issues including disabled parking bays, taxi ranks, signs and road markings.

The project, announced in January last year, will see:

  • East Street closed to all traffic apart from buses and cyclists;
  • Hammet Street closed to vehicles during the day, providing a zone for pedestrians and cyclists;
  • St James Street between North Street and Lower Middle Street pedestrianised.

Council officers predict the proposed changes, which could become permanent if deemed successful, would cut rush hour traffic in Taunton town centre areas such as North Street, Fore Street and St James Street by up to 86 per cent.

But there would be an increase in vehicles in areas such as Tangier Way, Upper High Street, Station Road and Priory Bridge Road.

A Taunton Deane Borough Council spokesman this week said: "We are committed to ensuring the delivery of this scheme and continue to engage with partners on the proposals to make changes in St James Street, Hammet Street and East Street.

"We are currently working up more detailed proposals to respond positively to the comments received during the consultation last year, for example, the location of disabled parking bays and taxi ranks.

"Areas of focus also include signage and road markings to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme."

The council, which said last year that it postponed the initiative until after Christmas so as not to hit festive trading, held its public consultation early last year.

A consultant to the authority said the aim of the pedestrianisation was to make the town more user-friendly, improve the general public realm and make the area better for pedestrians and cyclists.

It would fit in with plans to create a riverside walkway from Taunton Station through to Vivary Park and efforts to create public spaces such as Castle Green and High Street.