A BRIDGE to make cycling safer could be built under the M5 connecting Blackbrook to the Nexus 25 business park planned off the A358 near Ruishton.

The route, which is part of Taunton Area Cycling Campaign's list of 15 'hotspots', would follow the line of the Blackbrook culvert.

Other possible improvements TACC would like to see include replacing the cobbles outside the Market House in Taunton town centre with more "user-friendly materials"; improving the River Tone crossing to Firepool to connect with the proposed boulevard form the station to the town centre; and a cycle route between Taunton and Wellington.

TACC's Mike Ginger said: "Taunton has masses of potential for more and safer cycling and all the personal and wider benefits this would bring.

"Most people will have noticed the recent big increase in cycling, particularly families out on bikes.

"TACC has been working hard to influence and help the local councils to secure funds and develop plans for attractive cycling conditions.

"Our 'Turn the network blue' campaign petition received nearly 2,000 signatures, which shows the level of public support for better cycling."

The county and district councils have held talks with TACC and applied for funding to improve the cycling infrastructure in and around the county town.

Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset West and Taunton Council executive member for planning and transport, said: "Following the success of our initial expression of interest to the Future High Streets Fund, we are now working up a detailed submission which includes improvements to the cycling infrastructure. Further details of the submission will be released in due course.”

A Somerset County Council spokesman said the authority has submitted a funding bid for the Blackbrook under bridge to the Department for Transport, with a response likely later in the year.

He added: "We understand that Highways England have agreed to fund further feasibility works.

"We have been delighted with the support and positive contributions from TACC in pulling these opportunities together and will continue to involve them once we are in a position to progress further."

A TACC application for Climate Action funding towards a Taunton-Wellington cycle route was unsuccessful and other options are being investigated.