TAUNTON'S Gateway Park and Ride will be back up and running next week following its closure during the Covid-19 crisis.

From Monday (November 2), the service will run every 15 minutes on weekdays between 6.40am and 7.30pm, once again connecting passengers to the town centre and Musgrove Park Hospital.

There will be a slight change in the route to avoid the closure of East Street. The nearest town centre stop will now be at Castle Way, which will serve both directions.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “The park and ride is an important service and we are pleased it will be up and running again from Monday.

"However, it is also important to reiterate that passengers should continue to follow the government guidance relating to Covid-19 when using the service - wear a face mask, allow space, and ensure your hands are clean before travelling."

Cllr Mike Rigby, executive member for planning and transportation at Somerset West and Taunton Council, said: “I am delighted that the park and ride services will resume from Monday to continue providing a cost-effective and efficient way of getting into the town centre.

"It will help reduce congestion in the build up to the festive period.

"Users of Taunton’s Gateway Park and Ride must wear a face covering, as per the Government’s guidelines in the fight to help control the virus."

Alex Carter, managing director of First Group South West, said: “As operator of this service, we are very pleased to restore the Gateway Park and Ride link, which adds to the Silk Mills service that has run throughout the restricted Covid period, now giving cross town centre links as before.

"Park and ride is a great way of avoiding road congestion as our vehicles enjoy access through unique ‘short cut’ bus links, minimising journey times and avoiding the anxiety of finding town centre parking spaces.

"Users pay our driver for the park and ride service – contactless card payment available, no machines to feed or coins to find."

Passengers exiting Taunton Gateway and travelling south are advised that until November 16 there is no right turn out of the site and therefore vehicles will be diverted around the J25 roundabout.

All passengers using the park and ride service are reminded that face coverings are mandatory on public transport.