Transport in Taunton

Somerset County Council, in partnership with Taunton Deane Borough Council and the South West Regional Development Agency, is reviewing transport in Taunton, including long term plans for the future. This website provides a summary of the proposals and details of a series of exhibitions where you can find out more.

Why Review Transport in Taunton?

Over recent years Taunton has expanded to become an important shopping and commercial centre. Regional Planning Guidance has identified Taunton as a centre for development and growth in the future, with more people living and working in the town, and more cars and traffic. Much of the traffic in Taunton is due to short trips within the town. Traffic already has an adverse effect on the quality of life: higher traffic levels have environmental, safety and social impacts and, because of congestion, significant delays are incurred by travellers. At certain locations these problems are already acute.

Unless something is done at the local level, we can expect traffic levels to increase by over 20% from present levels to the end of the decade, and congestion to increase to up to five times current levels, with increased conflicts between traffic and quality of life.

There are ambitious plans for the expansion of the town. There are proposals to improve and re-develop the town centre (an "Urban Design Framework", or UDF), and there has also been an "Urban Extension Study" (or UES) to examine where the future growth and development of Taunton should be. Transport is an integral part of these proposals.

If Taunton is to remain a desirable place to live, then tackling existing traffic problems and managing future traffic growth is essential. A transport strategy needs to embrace all modes of travel, including roads, public transport, walking and cycling.

Everyone has a part to play, including considering if the car is really necessary for the short trip into town.

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