East Street in Taunton to close for eight weeks for works to take place

The junction where East Street and East Reach meet Hurdle Way has been closed by the authorities for two months as part of a major improvement project.

Commuters are expecting lengthy delays during the period, as traffic lights in the area are replaced and the junction is made safer for pedestrians.

The road is closed from today (Monday) an on-street events have been planned due to the lack of traffic.

East Street will be closed in both directions from its junction with East Reach to the Market House roundabout.

East Reach and Hurdle Way will be kept open, but traffic will also be prevented from turning right from East Reach into Tancred Street.

As East Street will effectively be pedestrianised during the closure, the county council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and others are looking at opportunities to use the road for stalls or events.

It is hoped stalls will be lining East Street as part of Somerfest which takes place on June 18.

In July there are plans for an international market and an arts market.

Cllr David Fothergill, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “While the road is closed, we also hope shoppers and people in the town centre will take advantage of a traffic-free pedes- trianised zone.”

Roger Habgood, executive councillor for planning and transportation at Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “We recognise and are fully supportive of the proactive approach being taken.

“I am pleased that we are making the most of the opportunities to use the space during the closure.”

The upgrade will see all equipment at the junction replaced, and the layout of the junction will also be improved to reduce the number of pedestrian movements crossing Hurdle Way from three to two.

The new traffic signals will run on extra low voltage (ELV) supply and use LED lights which are cheaper to run.

The junction and approach roads will also be resurfaced with high-friction surfacing.

However, some small businesses in Taunton feel that adding market stalls to East Street would likely stifle business.

Mike Giles, of Bredons sewing machine shop and chairman of East Street Traders Association, said: “I am very against market stalls in the town.

“They aren’t selling anything new that you can’t already get somewhere in Taunton and they aren’t paying the rates that we are.”

Mike Slocombe, of Watkin Toys, said he objected.

“We don’t get enough people down here anyway. I bet they wouldn’t allow us to put a table up free of charge,” he said.

Denise Cross, of County Flowers, said: “It would be blocking us off from the town and putting other businesses there to take our trade.

“It is not very good, we are not happy.”

Barry Griffith, of Carpets R Us, said: “It is an absolutely, totally appalling idea.”

Daniel Birch, of Plaster works and Artichoke, said: “It is difficult enough for this town to live with road closures. But to introduce market traders to the closed area is just adding salt to the wound.”

The road was reported as very busy at rush hour this morning.