EFFORTS to deliver a new cycle link connecting two Somerset towns could take a big step forward after Christmas following the publication of a long-awaited study.

The Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) has been campaigning for many years for a new cycle route linking Taunton to Wellington, taking cycle traffic away from the busy A38.

There has been limited progress on delivering a new cycle route between the towns since a feasibility study was first commissioned in 2018 – though a working group has been holding regularly meetings since March 2021.

Somerset West and Taunton Council confirmed in September 2022 that a new study will be undertaken looking at safe routes between the two towns, which would form the basis of any bid for central government funding.

Somerset Council (which replaced the district council in April) has now confirmed the £50,000 study will finally be completed around Christmas, meaning options could be taken forward to delivery in the next 12 months.

The A38 between Taunton and Wellington has very limited provision for cyclists in terms of cycle lanes either on the road or on the wider sections of pavement.

Part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) does run between Taunton town centre and the village of Langford Budville north of Wellington.

However, only a short-section of this (in the Tangier section of Taunton) is traffic-free, with cyclists having to share the road with other vehicles the rest of the time.

Somerset County Gazette: The campaign aims to take cycle traffic away from the busy A38.The campaign aims to take cycle traffic away from the busy A38. (Image: Daniel Mumby)

Somerset Council originally pledged that construction of the new route would be undertaken by 2025, according to TACC members.

Both the campaign group and Citizens Somerset have criticised the council for delaying the study’s publication, arguing this could hamper efforts to secure funding for the route’s delivery.

Chris Waddilove of Citizens Somerset said: “It feels that the technical process is being allowed to drag on, therefore delaying the real work of drawing up a viable scheme and preparing for innovative funding bids.”

TACC chairman Mike Ginger added: “We urge the council to quickly complete the technical study so that we know its preferred option and so stakeholders can have their say.”

TACC has been regularly consulted by the council on other cycling initiatives in the town, including the delivery of a new car-free route between Taunton railway station and Vivary Park (which will involve moving the existing crossing on the A38 Upper High Street).

The council said the study had been delayed to “internal consultation” but has pledged it would be finished within the next two months.

A spokesman said: “The work under way is a strategic outline business case (SOBC) to determine the most viable solution to improve sustainable transport between Wellington and Taunton. It is not a feasibility study for a cycle route.

“This work is required to evidence a case for investment, should central government grants or other funding become available.

“The work has seen some delays mostly due to internal consultation, but it is progressing and likely to be completed by late-December 2023.

“The SOBC identifies multiple options for improving sustainable transport options between Wellington and Taunton; it will not explore who would be contracted to provide the route(s) and/ or options should funding later become available to deliver the improvement(s).”

Three local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) have been produced to date in Somerset, which identify potential new and improved walking and cycling routes across major settlements.

The plans for Bridgwater, Taunton and Yeovil are already complete, with their contents being used to prioritise active travel improvements as part of government-backed regeneration efforts (such as the Yeovil Refresh or the Bridgwater town deal) or new housing developments.

The council has commissioned several other LCWIPs, and has confirmed Wellington’s plan will be completed shortly.

The spokesman said: “The Wellington LCWIP is progressing well and we hope to have this completed before the end of the year.

“Connectivity to Taunton will be noted as important for improving active travel for the region, but the Wellington LCWIP is geographically focused on Wellington only so will not detail improvements outside of Wellington.”