More than 30 new cycle links could connect Taunton at a cost of up to £150M

Somerset County Council published its local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LWCIP) for Taunton in February, laying out how existing cycle routes across the town could be improved and extended.

Somerset West and Taunton Council has now expanded upon this plan, identifying short sections which could be enhanced as part of its garden town strategy, helping to link the town to the new urban extensions and the nearby villages.

The routes are expected to come forward gradually as more funding from developments and central government becomes available – though the council estimates it will cost  up to £150M to complete every section.

The council has also admitted that “multiple millions” will be needed to deliver a much-needed cycle route between Taunton and Wellington, providing a safe alternative to the busy A38.

What work is currently being done to improve Taunton’s cycling network?

Several small improvements to the Taunton cycling network are currrently being implemented, funded either by housing developers or funding from central government.

Just over £3.5M will be spent on a new cycle route between Taunton railway station and Vivary Park, via the Firepool and Coal Orchard regeneration sites – including cycle lanes on the new access road being created on the A3087 Trenchard Way.

Of this, £2,257,000 comes from the government’s future high streets fund, £1,107,000 from the community infrastructure levy (CIL) charged on certain new developments, and £170,000 will come from the county council.

New links on North Street and St. James Street are also planned (using the future high streets fund), with the council also making changes to East Street to encourage more cycling after the removal of the traffic restrictions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic.

Some smaller improvements could also be sought in future through small improvement schemes, which every county councillor getting to bring forward one scheme for their division.

However, in light of the authority needing to find £44.5M in savings by the time the new unitary Somerset Council sets its first budget in February 2023, these may take a while to come forward.

What routes could be delivered under these latest proposals?

Under the district council’s proposals – which came before its executive committee on July 20 – a total of 41 short sections could be delivered at various stages over the coming years.

The majority of these routes are designed to meet the LWCIP’s aim of delivering uninterrupted cycle paths across Taunton, linking up with the urban extensions at Comeytrowe (a.k.a. Orchard Grove), Monkton Heathfield and Staplegrove along with the surrounding villages (such as Corfe, Kingston St. Mary, Norton Fitzwarren and Trull).

Here’s a complete list of all the sections which are being contemplated:

• Staplegrove West site to Bridge Street: this section, which forms part of the ‘purple route’ within the LWCIP (which runs north-west to south-east), is designed to link the Staplegrove urban extension to the town centre. Users will move through the Hudson Way play facilities, along Bindon Road, cross the railway line over the Staplegrove Road bridge and continue through Chip Lane and The Avenue
• Silk Mills Road to Bindon Road: this short section, between the A3065 Silk Mills Road and the Hudson Way play area, is designed to improve cycle facilities for the surrounding homes. This will eventually link up with other connections to the Ford Farm site in Norton Fitzwarren and nearby employment sites
• Staplegrove West site to Taunton Academy: this section follows Corkscrew Lane – which will be used during the construction of the Staplegrove urban extension – along the northern edge of Taunton onto Cheddon Road. As well as providing a link to Taunton Academy and the Wellsprings Leisure Centre, it will provide access to doctors’ surgeries in the area and join up with existing routes to the railway station
• Staplegrove East site to Taunton railway station: this section connects Corkscrew Lane with the railway station, avoiding the busy A3038 for the most part by navigating through the Taunton School playing fields and residential streets such as Cyril Street and Herbert Street. This will deliver another section of the ‘purple route’ identified in the LWCIP
• Ford Farm to Staplegrove West: this route will connect the remaining section of the Ford Farm development in Norton Fitzwarren (comprising 400 homes) to the Staplegrove urban extension via the B3227 and the A358. The route will run past the Orchard Medical Centre, helping to deliver part of the ‘green route’ within the LWCIP, which runs east to west
• Comeytrowe to Tower Street: this section will deliver elements of both the ‘green route’ (east-west) and ‘blue route’ (south-west to north-east) within the LWCIP, connecting the Comeytrowe urban extension (also known as Orchard Grove) to the town centre. The route will lead out from Comeytrowe Lane and follow the Galmington Stream, ending up near Castle Street and Tower Street
• Musgrove Park Hospital to Tangier: this section, delivering part of the LWCIP ‘green route’, will begin on Parkfield Drive and head north onto Henley Road before linking up with existing pedestrian and cycling routes through Longrun Meadow. As well as providing better connections to the hospital, it will make it easier for residents to access the Tesco supermarket on the A3807 Castle Street and, in time, the Tangier development site near the river
• Church Road to the A38 Wellington New Road: this section is designed to provide better cycling facilities from the village of Trull along the eastern edge of the Orchard Grove site to the crucial A38. In addition to providing better connections for these new residents, it will join up with existing routes to the hospital, Bishop Fox’s School and on to the Staplegrove area
• A38 Stonegallows to A3807 Castle Street: this was identified within the LWCIP as one of the key “missing links” in Taunton’s existing network, and is designed to make the A38 safer for cyclists. The route will take in the entire stretch between the Stonegallows pub and the junction with Tangier, providing a fast route to the town centre
• Comeytrowe Road to Musgrove Park Hospital: this section is designed to provide a car-free route between the Orchard Grove site and the town’s hospital, as well as enabling car-free access to the College Way doctors’ surgery. This will tie up with both the ‘red route’ and ‘green route’ within the LWCIP, though it will involve a “significant removal of vegetation”
• College Way to the B3170 South Road: this meandering section forms a key component of the LWCIP ‘red route’, which is intended to run north to south across the county town. The section includes the current cycle path along the Stockwell Stream, providing access to Vivary Park, Richard Huish College and the Blackbrook Leisure Centre
• Bridgwater Road to the Toneway underpass: this section will run from the northern edge of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension, crossing the improved Creech Castle junction (where the A358 meets the A38) and splitting into two legs. One leg will finish at Seabrook Close, the other at Wheatley Crescent – with both legs forming part of the LWCIP ‘blue route”
• West Monkton Church of England Primary School to Taunton Academy: this section will connect three Taunton schools, with the route passing along the A3259 from Monkton Heathfield past the recently completed Nerrols Primary School. As the second phase of the Monkton Heathfield urban extension comes forward, this section could also link up with the promised ‘park and bus’ facility near the A38
• Langaller Lane roundabout to St Michael’s Road: this section is designed to connect one of the main roundabouts within the Monkton Heathfield urban extension to the nearby village of Creech St. Michael, diverting cyclists away from Langaller Lane. The route will pass through part of the employment allocation for the urban extension, over the M5 via Hyde Lane and skirt near a recently-approved development of 28 homes on the Bridgwater and Taunton Canal
• A38 Bridgwater Road to Yallands Hill: this predominantly straight stretch will provide connections through Monkton Heathfield, including the Monkton Elm Garden Centre and West Monkton Cricket Club. As well as enabling residents of the new Hartnells Farm development to commute more sustainably, the route is also designed to link up with the planned Maidenbrook Country Park, which will serve as a green buffer between Taunton and Monkton Heathfield
• The Firepool site to A38 Bridgwater Road: this long section will link the Firepool regeneration site in the town centre to Monkton Heathfield, with the existing rights of way along the southern side of the canal being enhanced. A short off-shoot from this will link up with the Priorswood roundabout, providing a link to the Crown industrial estate and other employment area
• A358 Priorswood Road to Hope Corner Lane: this route concerns a substantial section of Cheddon Road as part of the LWCIP ‘red route’. As well as providing connections to Taunton Academy and nearby primary schools, the council hope this will enable residents in the more deprived parts of Taunton to access the town centre more safely and affordably
• The Firepool site to Cheddon Road: this section stretch running east of the Firepool site will bend north along Obridge Road, proceed through Lyngford Park and link up with the new homes being delivered under the council’s North Taunton Woolaway Regeneration Programme in Priorswood. This will deliver one of the “missing links” in the LWCIP, and could be integrated with new flood defences planned near Firepool Lock
• Kingston Road to A3027 Bridge Street: this part of the LWCIP ‘red route’ is designed to provide a safer means for commuters to access Taunton railway station, especially near the remodelled southern entrance. Onward connections to the Firepool site and various primary schools in the North Town area will also be achieved through this stretch
• B3170 South Road to Ilminster Road: this section in the south-east of Taunton will skirt around the allotments near King’s College and work through residential streets either side of Upper Holway Road before connecting up with Blackbrook Way. This will provide connections to the Blackbrook Leisure Centre and onwards to Monkton Heathfield via the Creech Castle junction
• Nexus 25 site to the Firepool site: this section will connect the new Nexus 25 business park under the M5 and through the Blackbrook area of town before connecting up with the Firepool regeneration site and onto the railway station. This route will provide connections through Hamilton Park and give Taunton Town FC fans a safe route to the stadium on Wordsworth Drive
• A3027 East Street to Lisieux Way: this section will deliver part of the LWCIP ‘green’ route, linking the busy East Street and Each Street to the more residential areas around Lisieux Way via Wordsworth Drive and Gray’s Terrace. The council hopes this will provide a safe commuter route and will be delivered alongside improvements to East Street’s appearance and accessibility
• Manor Road to Corkscrew Lane: this short stretch in the north-west of the county town will provide better links to local schools for both the Staplegrove and Ford Farm developments. In addition to encouraging pupils to cycle to and from school, it will also provide a link to Staplegrove YFC and the nearby Taunton Vale facilities
• Great Western Way to Manor Road: this section, running through the Ford Farm site along the new relief road, is designed to provide a safe route for cyclists over the A3065 Silk Mills Road and through the Showell Park area to link up with the A358. Residents will thereby have easier access to Collet Park, the Nuffield Health Taunton Hospital and the wider Staplegrove area
• Clifford Avenue to Lyngford Road: this section, forming part of the LWCIP ‘red route’, will connect several residential areas in and around Priorswood via the Kingston Stream. The new route will provide safe access to Priorswood Primary School and the Rowbarton allotments near Enmore Road
• A3038 Priory Bridge Road to Gray’s Terrace: this route, beginning near the Firepool site and the town’s cricket club, will wind south east through residents areas, skirting around Victoria Park and meeting the A38 as it turns into Critchard Way. This forms part of the LWCIP ‘green route’, with the possibility of onwards connections as far as the Nexus 25 site
• A3027 Staplegrove Road to Longrun Lane: this short section will link the communities either side of Longrun Meadow near the town centre, with existing pedestrian and cycle routes being enhanced. Forming part of both the ‘green route’ and ‘purple route’ within the LWCIP, it will provide better links between the town centre and the Castle School
• A358 Staplegrove Road to A38 Wellington Road: this section covers the entire length of the A3065 Silk Mills Road, including its connections with the park and ride facility. Forming part of the LWCIP ‘green route’, it will ensure connections between residential areas and various employment sites, including the Cornishway Industrial Estate
• A3065 Silk Mills Road to Longrun Lane: this east-west section covers the length of Heron Drive, providing connections to St. Margaret’s Hospice, the Castle School and Longrun Meadow. Through the existing and planned infrastructure on Silk Mills Road, it will also provide wider connections to Norton Fitzwarren and Bishop’s Hull
• Trull Road to Church Road: this section comprises the entire length of Wild Oak Lane in Trull, and forms part of the ‘red route’ within the LWCIP. It is intended to provide better links to Bishop Fox’s secondary school, the main secondary school for the Trull catchment area
• A38 Bridgwater Road to Blackbrook Way: this crucial route provides a connection either side of the River Tone for traffic wishing to reach the Hankridge Farm employment site and the wider Blackbrook area while avoiding the busy A358. Due to the proximity of a local nature reserve, careful consideration must be taken in terms of the materials used to deliver any new paths through this area
• Batt Drive to Clifton Terrace: this route comprises a significant section of the A3259 Priorswood Road, and could be delivered as part of wider improvement to the Obridge roundabout, paid for by local housing developments. The new route will provide a connection between local employment sites and the railway station via other planned improvements
• Bossington Drive to Eastwick Road: this is one of the ‘missing link’ routes identified within the LWCIP, providing connections for the new Nerrols Farm homes and the nearby primary school. It will also provide an easy route for patients to access the Lyngford Park surgery without needing a car

In addition to these specific routes, the plans contains aspirations towards delivering these wider connection as part of the “green infrastructure” proposals within the garden town prospectus:

A358 improvements to Horton Cross (as part of the National Highways dualling scheme)

• Firepool Bridge link
• Monkton Heathfield to Bridgwater via North Petherton
• Monkton Heathfield to Durston
• Monkton Heathfield to Hestercombe House
• Monkton Heathfield to Ruishton
• Norton Fitzwarren to Bishop’s Lydeard via Cotford St. Luke
• Ruishton to Creech St. Michael
• Sherford to Mountfields
• Taunton to Kingston St. Mary

How much will this cost?

Understandably, it is not feasible for the council to deliver all of these proposals in one fell swoop.

A spokesman said: “The overall cost associated with delivering all of the “core” routes only is likely in the region of £124M to £150M.

“As such, delivery of the plan as a whole is heavily reliant upon external funding and developer negotiations.

“By identifying the routes, we are not bound to deliver any of them. We will need to prioritise any delivery efforts and funding that is available.”

What about the Taunton to Wellington route?

Around 1,600 journeys are carried out by bicycle on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington every day, according to the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC).

Work has been going on behind the scenes since March 2021 to see how feasible it would be to deliver a cycle route between the two towns, with TACC being one of the partners involved in the discussions,.

But in an update to the full council on July 5, Mr Rigby said there remained numerous land ownership issues to resolve – which would make the route very expensive to deliver in full.

He said in his written report: “Feasibility work to assess the south side of the A38 between the Comeytrowe and Chelston roundabouts shows a significant lack of highway boundary available to accommodate the route.

“Estimations show delivery of the central 4.5-kilometre section is likely to require multiple millions for construction, land purchase or lease agreements for multiple land parcels, in addition to funding for legal agreements.

“Officers continue to explore feasibility and seek any funding opportunities that are available.”

What happens next?

A public consultation on the proposed routes opened on Friday (July 29) and will remain open until September 30.

To take part in the consultation and view all the route maps in detail, visit www.tauntongardentown.commonplace.is.

Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for planning and transport, said: “Increasing levels of walking and cycling is central to our vision for Taunton [as a] garden town.

“Through our carbon neutrality and climate resilience (CNCR) action plan we commit to working towards Taunton becoming a beacon cycling Town; this plan is central to achieving that target and creating sustainable developments for future generations.

“Connecting our garden communities is about realising this vision in relation to the major new developments planned and taking place around Taunton. It will help to inform joined-up decision making.

“I would encourage everyone to take a look at the draft plan and have their say on this important document, which will improve walking and cycling facilities for everyone in Taunton, encouraging healthier and more sustainable journey choices.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) for the tremendous support and expertise they have provided working with us on options, ideas and solutions.”

The final plan, taking account of feedback received, will come before the executive committee in the autumn before going to the full council for final approval by December.