MAJOR road projects in Taunton - with a cost of more than £10 MILLION - are set to begin in the coming weeks.

Somerset County Council (SCC) is forging ahead with multi-million-pound projects to improve travel links and infrastructure and support the recovery of the local economy in county town.

First up is a £9m overhaul of Somerset’s traffic signal system - led by the team behind the on-going £19m scheme to upgrade junction 25 of the M5 - that gets underway in Rowbarton in March.

Highways chiefs say the scheme should improve traffic flow and give safer access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Then in April a £1.27m scheme, funded jointly by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Department of Transport and Somerset West and Taunton District Council, kicks off in Trenchard Way (the NIDR).

This will improve links to the town’s key transport hub, providing new access to GWR’s multi-storey car park while helping to unlock the Firepool development, supporting the planned Innovation Centre development on the site.

Alongside these projects, work continues apace by the developer to complete the A3259 Western Relief Road.

READ MORE: Work to upgrade junction 25 of M5 to finish in summer 2021
READ MORE: £400,000 for scheme to improve Trenchard Way in Taunton

“We’re focussed on getting these important infrastructure projects done, alongside the soon-to-be completed work at Junction 25,” said Cllr David Hall, SCC’s cabinet member for economic development.

“These schemes are the next stage in the vital work to ensure transport infrastructure in Taunton supports economic recovery as we come out of lockdown.”

Cllr John Woodman, cabinet member for highways and transport, added: “There will of course be an impact on local people, businesses and road users while these major projects are underway and we understand the need to do everything we can to reduce that.

"The team involved has significant experience in managing these issues and will ensure any disruption is minimised.

“But it’s important to remember the big picture – short term impact for the delivery of long-term infrastructure improvements which will support businesses, and economic growth for many years to come.”