Taunton’S £7.5million Third Way linking Wellington Road to Bridge Street will open on Tuesday, September 27.

Transport Minister Norman Baker is visiting the new stretch of road, which includes a bridge over the River Tone, for the third time to carry out the official ceremony.

Also attending will be North Town Primary School pupils and supporters of St Margaret’s Hospice, who will be in the first party to cross the bridge.

Somerset County Council cabinet member for strategic planning and economic development Cllr David Hall said: “It’s just one part of the plans for the regeneration of Taunton and I’m delighted we’ve completed such a complex project with all the additional works that were done.”

Guests will arrived at the ceremony in a convoy of vehicles, including Ariel Atoms, the only car manufactured in Somerset at Crewkerne, and classic and vintage models.

The project, started in April last year, also includes a second bridge replacing a Bailey bridge across Mill Stream, 500 metres of new and realigned road, two new junctions, and paths for pedestrians and cyclists.

The road is expected to carry up to 1,500 vehicles per hour during rush hours, helping relieve the town centre.

The Government put up £5.5million, with the rest from developer contributions and county council funding.

The scheme included the refurbishment of the Staplegrove Road and Station Road junction lights, Bridge Street resurfaced, foul sewers repaired and additional works associated with the scout hut.