Plans to deliver a new cycle link alongside the major Staplegrove urban extension in Taunton have raised concerns about the structural integrity of existing homes in the Mill Rise estate. The £3.2 million Staplegrove development, which will eventually feature 1,628 new homes alongside commercial spaces and a primary school, is poised to transform the north-western edge of Taunton.
Recently approved council plans include widening Staplegrove Road and installing traffic lights at the Silk Mills roundabout to provide access to the 713 homes and employment site in the western half of the development. However, further walking and cycling enhancements near Mill Rise have been constrained by site conditions.
Highways officers have cautioned that creating a more extensive active travel route near Mill Rise could compromise the boundary walls of existing properties. This limitation stems from strict design requirements under the Department for Transport’s Local Transport Note (LTN) 1/20, which governs cyclepath gradients and widths.
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Jon Fellingham, the council’s highways development manager, explained to the Planning Committee West that the new pathway design includes a set of steep steps and a staggered ramp that meets all compliance standards but cannot be made less steep without jeopardizing home foundations. Instead, a substantial retaining wall will be constructed to protect properties and new infrastructure alike.
Though the planned cycling route near Mill Rise will be indirect and winding, residents will benefit from improved links via Silk Mills Road and Bindon Road, integrating the Staplegrove site into Taunton’s existing cycle network. Bloor Homes has committed to enhancing these connections through the Section 106 agreement, including better links from Clifford Avenue and upgraded facilities along Bindon Road, ultimately improving access to local shops, industrial areas, and the town center.
Attempts to extend continuous cycle lanes across the Mill Lane junction were unsuccessful due to technical and physical constraints, despite detailed efforts by the developer to explore options.
Construction timelines are expected to be announced shortly through the council’s roadworks portal, marking the next phase of this significant development in Taunton.