TRAFFIC will be temporarily barred from Taunton's Northern Inner Distributor Road for several hours for one day next month.

And once it re-opens following the closure between 11am and 5pm on Thursday, June 14, the £21 million, mile-long carriageway will have a new name.

It will be known as Trenchard Way in honour of Taunton-born Hugh Montague Trenchard, widely credited as the founder of the Royal Air Force 100 years ago.

A permanent memorial to the 1st Viscount Trenchard, who was born at Haines Hill in 1873 and spent his childhood at Courtlands, in Norton Fitzwarren, will also be unveiled near Taunton Station during the day.

He enjoyed a distinguished military career and in 1918 was appointed the first chief of the air staff when the RAF was formed.

The unveiling ceremony will be carried out by his grandson Hugh Trenchard, the 3rd Viscount Trenchard.

Cllr David Fothergill, leader of Somerset County Council, said: "We’re immensely proud of our Somerset links to the origins of the RAF and this tribute to one of our most illustrious sons is long overdue.

"This memorial and road naming should raise the profile of the Trenchard name both in Taunton and beyond for generations to come and is a fitting way for us to celebrate the centenary of the RAF.

"This event has been planned for some time with the blessing of Lord Trenchard and I’m particularly pleased he will be attending to unveil the memorial."

Cllr John Williams, leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: "It is fitting that this important road should be named Trenchard Way in honour of Lord Trenchard, whose history we need to celebrate and raise awareness.

"We all have a duty to ensure the vast contribution of the RAF that has been made, to secure the peace that we now enjoy, is not forgotten and that the man that contributed so much was a Taunton man for whom we now provide this fitting honour."

Tom Mayberry, chief executive of the South West Heritage Trust, said: "The Trenchards have deep roots in Somerset, and it’s excellent news that the family’s most famous son will now be honoured in the town of his birth.

"His Taunton childhood very much shaped his future life."

On the evening of June 14 at 7.30pm, a special talk by Mr Mayberry will be held at the Museum of Somerset to celebrate Somerset’s links to the founding of the RAF.

Tickets for 'In praise of Lord Trenchard: Son of Somerset, Father of the RAF' are available now. To book call 01823-255088.