Somerset Council has announced that construction of Taunton’s long-awaited new transport hub could commence as soon as January 2026. This follows the council securing £2.7 million in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) to replace the outdated Tower Street facility, which closed in March 2020.
The new hub is a key part of Somerset Council’s multi-year Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), aimed at enhancing public transport infrastructure and connectivity across the region. An initial public consultation took place in summer 2024, with further input from Taunton town council expected in June 2025 to explore potential community uses for some of the existing buildings on site.
Recently published tender documents have outlined the full scale of the project, confirming that work will start within the next six months. The design includes six “drive in, drive out” bus stops – allowing buses to pull in and out efficiently without needing to reverse onto Tower Street. Additionally, two coach stops will be situated along Castle Way near Mecca Bingo, creating an interchange point between local bus services and nationwide coach routes.
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The hub will also feature five layover bays where buses can be parked when not in service, helping to reduce congestion in the town center. Passenger amenities include real-time information boards, an indoor waiting area with toilets, and a changing places toilet facility alongside a dedicated accessible parking bay.
Externally, the transport hub will offer a pedestrianised space with outdoor seating, landscaping, bicycle parking, and new pedestrian crossings linking the site to Goodlands Gardens and existing active travel routes.
The tender documents emphasize the council’s vision for the transport hub: to meet mobility needs while delivering broader community benefits and ensuring the site is future-proofed for population growth. The town council is also considering taking ownership of one or both former bus station buildings at no extra cost to taxpayers and invites public feedback on their future use.
The buildings previously served as a vaccination center during the COVID-19 pandemic, temporarily relocating NHS Somerset’s vaccination site from Firepool in March 2022. Any enhancements to the waiting areas or buildings will be financed through external grants and developer contributions to avoid increasing council tax burdens.
The contract for the new transport hub is expected to last up to six months starting around November 2025. However, the council anticipates construction will more likely begin in December or January, following contract negotiations and key internal decisions.
A council spokesperson said: “The tender pack reflects what we want for the site. We expect to start on site in December or January, provided the procurement process goes smoothly and contractual agreements are finalized.”