AN £8 million project to upgrade a major junction in Taunton has been postponed until next year.

The planned work would have seen major changes at the Creech Castle junction of the Toneway to upgrade the road - a major route into and out of the county town.

Work was due to start in April, but was delayed due to uncertainty over the availability of contractors amid the coronavirus crisis.

Now, it was delayed earlier next year to support the economy as it recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, Somerset County Council has confirmed.

The council said the decision to postpone, which will go before the Cabinet at a meeting on June 17, would put off the work for another 12 to 18 months and has been recommended following discussions with the business community in a bid to help support the local economy during the recovery by minimising any temporary disruption on a key route into Taunton.

Somerset County Gazette:

BUSY ROUTE: The junction is on the Toneway in Taunton

Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “Although these improvements will provide long-term benefits to Taunton’s economy, it was always going to be a challenging scheme to deliver with no option but to close one of our main roads.

“Postponing is not an easy decision. We are absolutely committed to improving this key junction when the time is right and will be looking to reschedule this scheme at a later date when the situation is hopefully much improved.”

The scheme will see the Toneway carriageways widened and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as stopping vehicles turning across the opposite carriageway.

It would also have seen the Bridgwater Road closed in the northerly direction for the duration of the work.

Councillor David Hall, the cabinet member for economic development, planning and community infrastructure, said: “While this upgrade is needed to support wider growth in Taunton and Somerset these are difficult times for everyone and we want to support our business communities in our local economy wherever we can.”

READ MORE: £8 million project to upgrade major Taunton route to start in April

READ MORE: Work on project to upgrade Toneway in Taunton delayed due to coronavirus outbreak

Stephen Henagulph, chief executive of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, added: “These are incredibly difficult times for local businesses and we welcome any proposals that will support them as they begin their recovery post lockdown.

"We know this scheme will cause delays and disruption during construction, but these works are crucial in the long-term to improve the transport infrastructure in Somerset’s county town.”

The Creech Castle scheme was due to be delivered by Alun Griffiths Ltd, who are currently continuing to work on the nearby M5 Junction 25 improvement scheme, which is continuing during the pandemic - and remains on schedule, according to the council.