THE end finally appears to be in sight for one of Taunton’s “biggest bugbears” – years after plans to create a link road between the east and west of the town were announced.
Work began on the Northern Inner Distributor Road in July 2013 and has caused frustration and concern for residents and road users.
Plans were first announced to create the link in 2006, along with the Taunton Third Way.
The go-ahead was given in May 2013 and it was estimated it would take around 18 months.
Taunton Deane MP, Rebecca Pow, says she is keeping up pressure to see the project moving on with speed with a view for the route to finally open next year.
“Congestion is one of the biggest bugbears in and around Taunton and I can understand people's frustrations that the NIDR is still not open," she said.
“I’ve been pushing Somerset County Council Highways to find out what has been causing the hold up and to get some kind of indication when the road will come on stream. Eighty per cent of the road is complete and it is the section over the bridge by the railway station that remains outstanding.
“I have received assurance today the contracts have now been given the go-ahead for this final section and pile driving equipment will be on site in October.”
The £21.8million scheme will provide a link between the east and west of the town - from Staplegrove Road and Priory Avenue, with plans to reduce congestion in the town and open access to development sites including Firepool, where a £105m regeneration is planned.
The project saw setbacks after the wet weather of 2013/14, which also created complications for the new bridge over Station Road, pushing back the completion date.
According to the Somerset County Council website says the planned completion date is now planned for late spring/summer 2016.
A council spokesman said: “Work on the NIDR continues to progress and the remaining steps include the completion of the carriageway between Staplegrove Road and Station Road, completion of the approach embankment to the new Firepool Bridge, construction of the Kingston Loop Bridge over Station Road, and finishing works, plus associated works including street lighting, signage and landscaping.
“We are currently waiting for the contractor to confirm a finalised programme for this remaining work which will give us a better idea of when the road will be completed.”
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