TAUNTON'S East Street has re-opened to vehicles for the first time in almost a year.

Two-way traffic has been using the road this morning (Monday) after barriers were removed ahead of the rush hour.

The street had been converted into a pedestrianised zone last year as part of a Government initiative to support social distancing.

East Street, <a href=Taunton ; open / re-opened">

East Street, Taunton ; open / re-opened

A number of businesses and motorists put pressure on Somerset County Council to re-open the road following severe traffic congestion around the town centre last month.

That was caused by roadworks being carried out by the developer of a new residential block of flats in Paul Street, on the site of the former Quantock House.

County Hall initially resisted requests to re-open East Street to ease traffic jams.

But it gave the go ahead after the developer announced it would be carrying out disruptive works in the Paul Street area starting today, with temporary lights likely to cause delays to motorists.

A poll on the County Gazette website at the weekend saw almost two-thirds of participants call for East Street to be permanently pedestrianised.

Of the 565 participants, 63 per cent said they would like it to exclude traffic, with 37 per cent in favour of opening it to vehicles on a permanent basis.