Traffic chaos in Taunton town centre caused by junction improvements

And the situation is unlikely to get better any time soon.

READ MORE: 'Stupidity': Angry reactions to traffic chaos in Taunton

Lizzie Biggs is among several people annoyed that improvements to the junction of Mary Street, Billetfield and Paul Street are being carried out now - soon after lockdown restrictions were eased.

The work, which is expected to last nine weeks, is being carried out in conjunction with the retirement complex being built on the former Quantock House site.

Mrs Biggs (pictured), who had started to see customer numbers increase at her recently opened Making Life Easier Ltd business inn The Mount, said: "We opened a bit before the second lockdown, but things were slow and we only started ramping up the business in the last couple of weeks.

"But with the works and the three-way traffic lights, it took me an hour to get into work today - it normally takes half that time.

"There have been several complaints and one customer from Wellington said he wouldn't be coming back to Taunton any time soon.

"Another person came here from Alma Street, which is a five-minute walk away. It took him 25 minutes to drive here.

"The traffic is just backed up."

Mrs Biggs believes the work should have been carried out during lockdown to minimise disruption to businesses, motorists and residents.

She added: "The work should have taken place in January 2020, but there were all sorts of issues.

"But why have they started it now? It's virtually closed half the town.

"Why haven't they opened up East Street (which is currently pedestrianised) to ease some of the pressure?"

Somerset County Council says the works are "to support a residential development".

It added the following statement.

The developer of the Platinum Skies retirement complex on the former Quantock House site has helped us to draft this set of Q&As which hopefully explain what’s happening, why and how this might affect pedestrians and road-users.

What’s happening?

As part of the residential development, junction improvement works – which were included in the planning application – will be carried out by the developer from Monday 26 April. The work includes upgrading the traffic signals and improving pedestrian access to the town centre.

Key features of the work.

The installation of a dedicated right-hand turn lane into Paul street as you approach from the Billetfield direction.

A proposal is in place to introduce a permanent right-hand turn ban into The Mount as you approach from the Mary Street direction, so it will become ‘left in and left out’ only from the A38 Mary Street. This will happen at a later date.

To recap – these improvement works are taking place on the Mary Street, Billetfield and Paul Street junctions.

Who is undertaking the works?

The developer (AHH Group, Affordable Housing and Heathcare Group) will working in partnership with specialist sub-contractors and Somerset County Council to safely deliver the works.

How long will the works take?

Works will commence on Monday, 26 April 2021 and are scheduled to last 9 weeks. The traffic management will be place for the duration of the works.

How will access to Paul Street & The Mount be affected?

For the duration of the works lane closures will be required on all approaches to the signalised Paul Street junction, so all eastbound and westbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane approach on the A38 Mary Street & Billetfield.

This approach will reduce the number of traffic light phases needed during the works and so aim to reduce the wait times for traffic on the A38 as the existing permanent signals will be switched off and replaced with temporary signals.

There will also be a right-hand turn ban into The Mount for A38 eastbound traffic so to ensure traffic flow is maintained as much as possible on the A38 Mary Street & Billetfield, this will be on a’ left in, left out; as with Paul Street.

As part of the scheme a permanent right-hand turn ban is to put into place on completion of the works.

Why can’t normal access to The Mount, Paul Street including retail facilities and the car parks be maintained?

Normal access can’t be maintained as a safe works area needs to be created to allow the necessary construction work to be undertaken. This unfortunately reduces the amount of carriageway available for ‘normal’ traffic.

To maintain normal access would require additional traffic light phases as traffic flows will be already be restricted. This would certainly result in longer wait times on the A38 Mary Street & Billetfield and it is important that traffic flows on the A38 are maintained as much as possible given the importance of this route.

How will this affect St Georges School, and residents along The Mount.

For the duration of the works The Mount will become a one-way system similar to that used for the Taunton Flower Show. This will help with school traffic and reduce congestion along the narrower sections.

Traffic will only be able enter The Mount from the Billetfield (Sainsbury) direction and will have to exit via Mount Street.

To recap, it will be left in via The Mount and left out via Mount Street.

Will pedestrian access be affected?

Yes, temporary alternative crossing points will be in use, with safe and suitable walkways in place along with any localised diversions routes.

Why can’t East Street be reopened to ease the disruption?

East Street remains closed to support social distancing and support cycling and walking. This has been the case since last summer and needs to remain in place while government guidelines on social distancing are still in force, as the narrow pavements on the north side of East Street would not allow for social distancing to be maintained. This combined with queuing systems in place outside retailers and building societies would force pedestrians into the road and/or parking bays.

Footfall on East Street since non-essential retail re-opened on the 12 April has been 25% higher than 2019 figures and continues to be very strong as businesses start to re-open, and we expect this to continue as hospitality and food and beverage businesses start to re-open in mid-May.

Why didn’t this work get done during lockdown?

The work is part of the overall developer schedule as detailed in the planning application, and it was planned some time before the Covid crisis hit and lockdown rules came into force.

The work is essential and is needed to move the development on towards completion – fortunately it is commencing nearly three weeks before we get to the next key ‘re-opening’ date of 17 May, and currently traffic levels during the week are between 15-20% below the normal level.

Why can’t the works take place during the School Summer Holiday period?

The new Quantock House development cannot be occupied until these works have been taken place and these works will also introduce improvements in time for the summer on this key junction.

Fortunately, the timing coincides with a reduction in traffic flows before the busier summer period when this would have much more impact. With more ‘stay-cations’ taking place due to the pandemic there is the potential the network will be much busier than usual during the summer.

The works need to be coordinated in line with other network activities.

What has been done to minimise disruption?

The contractor undertaking the works has met with Somerset County Council to discuss how best to minimise the works, while keeping the roads open and maintaining access. Discussions have taken place to reduce the works duration and limit the potential for severe disruption.

Night working was considered but due to proximity of residential properties it is considered unsociable due to higher noise levels, however there may some evening works for the more disruptive resurfacing works.

What is the diversionary route for access into Paul Street.

A diversion route suitable for all vehicles will be signposted and advertised and can also be found at www.travelsomerset.co.uk/roadworks or One.Network.

Why can’t the works be carried out at night?

Where possible extended hours will be worked and some elements of the works, such as resurfacing will be done during the evenings, however given there are residential properties nearby the levels of noise and light would not acceptable. It is also much safer to work during daylight hours as longer hours can be worked so reducing the overall duration of the works.

Why can’t normal traffic flows be restored when work finishes each day?

To restore the road to normal traffic everyday is not possible as the works will require excavation in the road and footways.

Have the local and wider community been informed?

Engagement with businesses and Somerset West and Taunton has been carried out. This Q & A sheet will hopefully address some of the more commonly asked questions. Social media will also be used.