A GROUP representing 135 Taunton businesses has called on two councils to stop playing “political games” and to get the town’s traffic moving.

Taunton Chamber of Commerce is urging Somerset County Council and Somerset West and Taunton Council to put their differences aside so “motorists, shoppers and the local population” can “go about their everyday business”.

The chamber was reacting to the congestion, caused by temporary traffic lights during road improvement works outside a new retirement flats development in Paul Street.

The chamber has declined the councils’ offer to join a consultation around the future of East Street, saying companies need to be able to respond individually.

A chamber spokesperson said: “This comes some three years after the chamber and around 30 significant business owners and managers put forward a comprehensive plan to widen pavements, provide proper protected cycle lanes, restrict traffic to one way only, and give adequate access for blue badge holders to park.

“The plan also looked at better landscaping and electric charging points for cars.

“The plan took the best of many other projects from cities around the world by reducing pollution, keeping the night time vibrancy whilst at the same time giving shoppers and walkers a better experience.”

They added: “We believe Taunton should be a town for all to enjoy. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, bus and taxi users all need to be accommodated.

“It will be no good if we concentrate on one group to the detriment of others. All interested parties will have differing views and some will be very extreme. We would just ask that all are properly consulted and there is due consideration given to everyone.”

Lizzie Biggs saw just five customers last week at her Making Life Easier business in The Mount.

“The traffic has eased a little this week - but that’s probably because people aren’t coming into town because of the long queues,” said Mrs Biggs.

Lizzie Biggs and the traffic snarl up outside her businesses

Lizzie Biggs and the traffic snarl up outside her businesses

“Why can’t they just open East Street? It can only benefit businesses by getting the traffic moving and can’t do any harm.

“The county council would rather do anything than open East Street. They have hurt the people and just don’t care.”

A Somerset County Council spokesperson said “adjustments” in the past week had improved the traffic flow.

They added: “We are monitoring the situation closely and will consider if further action is needed.

“We would advise road users to continue to plan ahead while these works are ongoing.

“Our team is continuing to review the need for the East Street closure, taking into account the current traffic flow, footfall along East Street and the need for social distancing in light of current Covid restrictions.”

HERE'S THE FULL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATEMENT.

At the latest Executive meeting of Taunton Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 135 businesses and thousands of staff, there was lengthy discussion and concern expressed over the latest road congestion around the town and proposals to re-design East Street without proper consultation with the businesses that operate in and around the street.

Firstly, the discussion centred on the perceived lack of cooperation between Somerset County Council and Somerset West & Taunton Council. Some members have been suggesting that the two Councils are just playing political games because of their differences of opinion as to how a new Unitary Authority will look. All that at the expense of motorists, shoppers, and the local population just wishing to go about their everyday business including visits to the hospital and G.P. surgeries. The Chamber is urging the two Councils to put aside their differences and start acting in union.

Secondly, the Chamber has been invited to take part in a consultation around the future of East Street. We have declined the offer unless there is full representation for all those businesses. By that, we mean giving those businesses the opportunity to engage in person with Somerset West & Taunton Council officers, rather than expecting the Chamber to fully express the views of over 115 businesses, many of which are not even members of the Chamber.

This comes some three years after the Chamber and around 30 significant business owners and managers put forward a comprehensive plan to widen pavements, provide proper protected cycle lanes, restrict traffic to one way only, and give adequate access for blue badge holders to park. The plan also looked at better landscaping and electric charging points for cars. The plan took the best of many other projects from cities around the world by reducing pollution, keeping the night time vibrancy whilst at the same time giving shoppers and walkers a better experience.

Those who have been in business long enough to remember will recall that the current safe walking area behind the Market House only came about after the Council’s 4 proposed options, which were impractical and expensively put together by consultants, were replaced by a different plan which was put forward by the Town Centre Businesses.

We believe Taunton should be a Town for ALL to enjoy. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, bus and taxi users all need to be accommodated. It will be no good if we concentrate on one group to the detriment of others. All interested parties will have differing views and some will be very extreme. We would just ask that all are properly consulted and there is due consideration given to everyone.

If we go back to the first item in this letter, it has been suggested that the result of the lack of planning and coordination of both councils has just led to longer journeys, wasted time, more pollution and fuel consumption and costs to businesses and individuals. So, come on Councillors and Council Officers, start talking to each other, find some solutions and take responsibility for serving the public of Taunton.