Taunton residents shared their views on scrapped footbridge

Plans to install the replacement for the footbridge were scrapped in a full Taunton Town Council meeting on May 12 2026 after the town council committed in principle in 2025.

The reasons for this were that the replacement would cost around half a million pounds, which the town council did not think was justified.

This decision has been met with mixed responses from the public, many of whom took to social media.

One resident said: "Except it's not a waste of money, people who have disabilities or the elderly living there will remember using that bridge daily. It was a part of Taunton's landscape, even featuring in artworks and iconic photos of the town. Shame really."

Another said: "It's not long to walk around. People need to stop being lazy. [We] don't need the bridge."

Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Amber Packer-Hughes, said the town council made 'careful choices' about where limited public money can be spent to 'deliver the greatest benefit for Taunton'.

She said: "We know this outcome will not please everyone, but we have to make careful choices about where limited public money can deliver the greatest benefit for Taunton.

"This was not a decision members took lightly. The original decision was made in principle, subject to further work and evidence. Once that information was considered, a majority of my fellow councillors concluded that progressing the scheme would not represent the best overall use of public money for Taunton at this time.

"The proposed bridge would have created a more direct route for some users, but alternative safe and accessible routes remain available nearby. Given the financial pressures facing councils and residents alike, members had to weigh the benefits of the scheme against its cost and our wider priorities."

Location of the former Goodland Gardens footbridge. (Image: Molly Kirk)

Taunton residents have since shared their views with the County Gazette on whether the bridge should have been replaced and what they would want to see the £500k saved spent on instead.

Peter and Lesley Gardener said: “It was quite handy when it was there, it was good, it allowed a good shortcut, and it was in a nice area, so it's disappointing really.

“We have been going over it for years, so it's sad it's gone.”

Jake Castle, who works in Taunton, said: “It would be great to have a wider bridge for pedestrians and cyclists to go over in Taunton.

“North Street roundabout seems to be falling apart, the blocks seem to be deteriorating, it’s a bit unsightly and unsafe for cyclists, so it might be nice [for the town council] to fix the roundabout and replace the cobbles.”

He added: “I like trees, I would like to see them maintained better in town, some are a bit too big and it’s a bit dangerous for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

“I would also like more CCTV cameras around town for safety reasons and to deter crime here.”

Jake also said he would like more public toilets as ‘the population is always increasing’, more cycle lanes, and replacing the bollards near the former Debenhams building with a zebra crossing, as he said cars ‘often crash into them’.

Jake added he would also like the multi-storey car park building to be invested in and revamped.

He said: “I stopped using the multi-storey because people were relieving themselves on the stairwell, and there were lots of tents there at one point. I wouldn’t feel safe there with my children.”

Tony Moore from Cotford St Luke said: “I think it [the bridge] should be restored. I used it, but not terribly often, but I know it was used by a lot of residents, and they [the town council] shouldn’t just take things away.”

He added: “I think I would invest money into just generally making the streets altogether more attractive through litter clearing and that sort of thing.”

A resident who wishes to remain anonymous said: “It’s the easy way across, but there’s no point in us spending that much on that bridge when we can go another way.”

Dave, who lives in Taunton, said: “If they’re going to spend half a million pounds, then put more police out on the street.”

Another resident added: “I don’t think people are too happy with the decision.

“Taunton needs livening up, really; it’s just been left to fall by the wayside, really. It’s a bit of a depressing place. There are no big shops here, really or anything to bring people here.”

In response, Councillor Amber Packer-Hughes said: "We recognise the strength of feeling about improving the town centre, community safety and the public realm. Some of the issues raised, including policing, highways, car parks and some street infrastructure, sadly sit outside our direct control.

"However, we continue to invest in areas within our remit, including town centre improvements, community safety initiatives, seasonal enhancements, public spaces and CCTV upgrades, and remain open to exploring further CCTV expansion where it is practical, affordable and evidence-led."