HIGHWAYS bosses have responded to criticism from a prominent Somerset cycling group.

Yesterday (Monday), we revealed how the Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) planned to hold a ride through the county town before presenting the Somerset County Council Highways department with nine requests to improve cycling in the county.

They intend to host a 'Wake Up Somerset County Highways' rally at County Hall from noon on Wednesday (September 1).

Now, the council has responded to the criticism, saying it does what it can to incorporate cyclists and pedestrians in road design, within financial limitations.

A spokesperson said: “We are committed to making improvements to encourage cycling and would like to thank Taunton Area Cycling Campaign for sharing their latest ideas.

READ MORE: Cyclists to ride through town in protest over poor routes in Somerset

"We hope they understand that in designing and delivering schemes we have to balance the needs of all road users, including pedestrians, and sometimes there are funding or practical limitations which mean we cannot accommodate all requests.

"We are keen to continue our ongoing engagement with TACC, and other cycling groups, to both highlight the case to Government for further funding for cycling infrastructure in rural counties such as Somerset and work along our contractors to improve how cyclists can be accommodated during major road works."