A DISUSED railway bridge is to be taken down and replaced by a section of new road.

Scaffolding has gone up around the structure in Station Road, Taunton, between Whitehall and Station Approach.

The existing bridge will be removed overnight to avoid disruption, while the cycle lane below has been temporarily closed for safety reasons.

The section of road in its place will link up the two parts of the £22million Northern Inner Distributor Road running between Staplegrove Road at Chip Lane and Priory Avenue which is currently under construction.

The new road aims to cut traffic congestion in the town centre and attract businesses to the derelict Firepool site, which has been earmarked for shops, offices, leisure facilities and homes.

A Somerset County Council spokesman said: “The next stage of the NIDR scheme involves removing and replacing the existing Kingston Loop bridge deck.

“Scaffolding has been erected for preparatory work, with the cycle lane on Station Road temporarily removed to keep a safe route open for cars and pedestrians.

“The bridge deck itself will be removed under overnight road closures. The date for this will be announced shortly.”