PLANS for three lanes to be created on a main artery road into Taunton have been unveiled.

People are being asked their views on the £8 million plans to upgrade the Creech Castle junction on Toneway.

The link between Taunton and the M5 and A358 to Ilminster is already heavily used.

Somerset County Gazette:

If improvements are not carried out, the junction will hinder planned development at Monkton Heathfield and impact on the strategic road network.

Somerset County Council has secured external funding for the scheme to ensure Taunton’s transport network can cope with planned future development.

Cllr John Woodman, County Hall's cabinet member for highways, said: “We’re all aware of the traffic hotspots in Taunton and certainly the Toneway corridor has been on our wish list to improve for some time.

“Work to upgrade Junction 25 is due to start next year and now we’re pleased to share our plans to improve traffic flow at the Creech Castle junction.

“This is only possible due to our efforts to put together a solid business case which demonstrates the scheme’s value and will enable us to secure external funding.

"This money will be specifically for this project and is completely separate to our everyday running costs.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

  • Boost the economy in Taunton by supporting the delivery of planned employment and residential sites.
  • Reduce peak hour congestion (compared with doing nothing) along the Toneway, improving access from the M5 to Taunton town centre.
  • Reduce severance between communities on each side of the junction.
  • The proposed scheme takes account of the clear geographic constraints in this location and increases the number of lanes through the junction to add capacity and improve traffic flow. It also provides improved crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

A business case has been submitted to the Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal fund for the majority of the money and the rest will come from capital funds, such as external developer contributions.

The consultation is now open until the end of the month.

You can see the plans and speak to officers at a drop-in consultation event held at the Hankridge Arms, Taunton, on Wednesday, October 17, between 1pm and 5.30pm.

There will be a further event later in the consultation period – location and date to be confirmed.