The beginning of the installation for a new footbridge in Taunton town centre has been confirmed by Somerset Council. This project, approved in August 2024, entails the replacement of the current footbridge connecting Morrisons supermarket to the Coal Orchard site with a wider and more cycle-friendly bridge.
Funding for the project comes from central government grants, with estimated costs up to £2m as per tender documents published in January. While the precise start date and exact cost are yet to be confirmed, the council has revealed that the bridge installation will commence in July.
The existing bridge, which links up with the National Cycle Network route 3, currently requires cyclists to dismount as it is too narrow for both pedestrians and cyclists to share. The agreed proposals involve the removal of the existing bridge and its replacement with a four-meter-wide bridge, meeting the Department for Transport’s guidelines for pedestrian and cyclist usage.
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Despite earlier plans for a new bridge between Coal Orchard and the bandstand being withdrawn, the project is largely funded through the government’s future high streets fund. Taunton has received nearly £14m for various improvements between the railway station and Vivary Park, with the majority already allocated for different projects.
The completion of the new bridge is part of a broader report presented by Councillor Mike Rigby, indicating ongoing work for schemes utilizing the Future High Streets fund. The construction of the bridge is expected to culminate a cycling compliant link from the station to Vivary Park.
A previous report suggested the new bridge would be completed by November. However, the council has not set a precise start date for the installation, noting that detailed design work is currently in progress. Funding for the project comes from the remaining grant from the future high street fund and allocated funds from the community infrastructure levy (CIL).