Somerset Council appoints contractors for Yeovil network

Somerset Council is proceeding with its £24m Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme, which is designed to make the town centre more presentable and accessible for residents and visitors alike, and in doing so attract new businesses to the area.

As part of the programme, the council confirmed in August 2023 that improved walking and cycling facilities would be delivered in the town centre, using £1.2m of central government funding.

The council has now appointed SWH (Taylor Woodrow) Ltd. – which is currently constructing the new amphitheatre at The Triangle – to deliver these facilities, which will see two new sections of cycleway added and help to connect existing paths.

A number of short-term improvements to Yeovil’s walking and cycle network were identified by Somerset County Council when it published its Yeovil local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP) in October 2021.

Many of these improvements have already been delivered within earlier phases of the Yeovil Refresh, such as the improvements to Westminster Street and Wine Street or the recently completed work on The Borough.

The three new schemes will focus at the town’s ‘eastern corridor’ – with one section along Hendford, another on South Street, and a further one near Central Road and Middle Street.

Each section is designed to “deliver improved accessibility and connectivity for all users”, making it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle or wheel to and from the town centre rather than having to always rely on private cars.

On Hendford, the existing pavement on the western side will be widened to include a cycle lane, which will connect up with the existing lanes and crossings over Brunswick Street – providing a safer route to the Goldenstones Leisure Centre and the Yeovil Country Park.

The new cycle lane will require a number of car parking spaces along Hendford to be removed, with visitors being directed to the nearby Petters Way car park.

The existing bus stop will remain in place (though the shelter will be relocated) and double-yellow lines will be installed along the length of Hendford to prevent vehicles from parking on the cycle route.

This section will terminate at the existing roundabout with West Hendford and South Street, with cyclists being able to continue onto the pedestrianised area near the clock tower and on towards Middle Street.

On South Street itself, wider crossing points will be provided where the road meets Addlewell Lane, Bond Street and Park Lane.

A new cycle lane will be provided along the eastern section of South Street, running on the left-hand pavement past the car wash and running towards the new amphitheatre.

The existing pavements around the junction with Stars Lane will be widened, with a on-road cycle lane being extended down to the junction between Stars Lane and Old Station Road.

This will connect up with the existing crossings and the route around the Yeo Leisure Park (which includes Cineworld, Nuffield Health and Pizza Hut), which provides connections to the country park and east towards Yeovil Pen Mill railway station.

The pedestrian crossing over South Western Terrace will be completely revamped, with new on-road cycle lanes and other improvements being implemented at the junction with Central Road and Middle Street, near the William Dampier pub.

In addition to these prominent schemes, the council will carry out some drainage work and minor patching on the route from Yeovil Country Park to Yeovil Pen Mill railway station.

Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and digital, said: “This is an exciting next phase in the regeneration of Yeovil.

“By improving the road network, extending cycle and walkways and introducing new way-finding systems, our aim is to open up access to green spaces – ultimately creating a sustainable and fit for purpose, 21st-century town.

“Key to the design has been the prevention of loss or damage to trees along the southern part of scheme, in addition to the retainment [sic] of a London Plane located at the junction of Hendford Grove and Hendford.”

These improvements are being funded through two sets of ring-fenced external grants – meaning the money cannot be used on fixing potholes or providing any other council service.

A small amount of the council’s capital funding was set aside to support these grants within the annual budget in February – meaning there will be no additional financial pressure on the local authority.

SWH operations manager Toby Lander said: “We are pleased and grateful to be continuing our partnership with Somerset Council by working on this exciting next phase of Yeovil’s regeneration.

“After completing works on Westminster Street, High Street and The Borough, and with our works on Middle Street and Wyndham Street nearing an end, we are looking forward to maintaining our relationship with Somerset Council on the Hendford project.

“As always, we would like to thank all local businesses and residents for their patience during these works.”

Work to deliver these improvements is expected to be completed by November.

SWH was also recently awarded the contract to deliver three sections of the Celebration Mile running through Bridgwater town centre, with construction anticipated to begin by the middle of August.