Vision for Transport in Taunton

		The Vision for Transport in Taunton Having a vision for transport in Taunton is important because it guides the way that we want the town to look in the future. This will have big implications for the future of transport in the town. Our vision is to achieve:
A sustainable community, by assisting in the development of Taunton to meet its full potential; An effective transport system to support the economy and bring new jobs, which will include making best use of the transport system that we already have; A better environment, both built and natural, including maintaining local distinctiveness; A safer place to be, particularly by reducing traffic accidents; and An inclusive community, by ensuring that everyone can participate, including people without cars. Have Your Say - What do you think about this Vision?

What could happen in the future if we don't do anything?

At the moment, there are problems with congestion in Taunton, due to the demand for travel by car to get into and around town. There are also problems with bus services, meaning that people without cars cannot get to key services. In future, with more people living and working in the town, and more cars, congestion could get much worse. This could mean longer journey times, with increased noise and intrusion on local communities, more road accidents, and major problems when incidents occur. The town will also become less attractive as a place to live and do business. A lot is already happening or is planned for Taunton, but we need to do more.

What does this new transport strategy include?

This new strategy needs to tackle the problems faced by the town. It is not anti-car: it includes a range of measures that will help everyone. Improvements to the primary road network will help to reduce congestion and improve access around the town. Public transport will be improved, with two new Park & Ride services at Silk Mills and Cambria Farm (by Junction 25 of the motorway), bus lanes and other priority measures to minimise delay for bus services, improved bus passenger information, and possibly a new bus station in the town centre. We will continue to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, to provide viable alternatives to the car for short trips, and to make the town centre more attractive. We will also carefully look at how we manage car parking in the town centre, and will work with schools and employers to promote effective alternatives to the car, and hence sensible travel choices.

What else do we have planned?

The proposals for parking include "variable message signs", to help drivers to find a space. We will also provide new car parks around the edge of the town centre. However, it will also be necessary to control the amount of commuter parking in the town centre: if not, there could be greater problems with congestion, and there would not be enough spaces for shoppers, visitors and people doing business. It is therefore proposed to increase long stay parking charges, and transfer some spaces from long-stay to short-stay, to help ensure that there are enough spaces for shoppers and visitors. Commuters will be able to park at the Park & Ride sites at Silk Mills and the motorway, or share cars, use buses, walk or cycle.

"Travel plans" are being developed by schools, hospitals, businesses and other employers to cater for the travel needs of staff, pupils, patients and visitors. In many cases, people do not want to have to drive, and travel plans provide good alternatives to using the car. Travel plans have already been developed within Taunton, and many more will be developed in future.

What is it not possible to do?

In planning the future, we have to be realistic. There will be no benefit to Taunton if we develop a strategy that cannot be implemented. Whilst some funding will come from the government and possibly from developers, the study has defined a strategy that will largely be implemented through Somerset County Council's Local Transport Plan. We also have to bear in mind that we cannot build our way out of trouble: building roads to cater for all of the future traffic will be both extremely expensive and will have very serious environmental consequences. There is also no evidence that this would help the local economy. We recognise that the public transport proposals will not cater for all journeys and that many people will still need to use the car, but the proposals will allow some people to use alternatives, which would make a significant impact on congestion. In this, we all have a part to play. While some of us will need to make many journeys by car, both now and in the future, we will all need to consider if some of these car journeys are really necessary.

The long term

There are ambitious plans for improvements to the town, not just in the town centre, but also for extending the town. The most suitable area, based on a strategic environmental assessment, is to the north east of Taunton, beyond Monkton Heathfield. The development of new homes, jobs and services will be accompanied by transport improvements, including new bus services, a Park & Ride site and high quality routes for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition, consideration would be given to a new Northern Outer Distributor Road, to improve access to West Somerset, reduce congestion on existing routes and link to a possible new Junction (24A) on the M5. These proposals would be developed in the longer term.

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