Somerset Council is seeking public input on plans to transform Touches Lane, a quiet residential road near Chard Reservoir, into a ‘green lane’ aimed at improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders. As part of a broader initiative involving five roads across Somerset, the council proposes trial traffic restrictions to reduce motor vehicle access along sections of these routes.
Touches Lane serves as a boundary between Chard’s eastern edge and the surrounding countryside, connecting Chaffcombe Road to Avishayes Road. It also intersects with National Cycle Network route 33, the Stop Line Way, which links to nearby destinations such as Stringfellow Park, Tesco, Donyatt, and Ilminster. The narrow lane features several homes and is currently accessible to motor vehicles.
The consultation, open to residents until February 24, presents two options to limit cars and enhance the lane’s appeal for non-motorized users. Option A would block vehicles east of Littlecombe Garage near the Stop Line Way entrance, allowing motorhome businesses access but requiring residents beyond that point to use Avishayes Road or the reservoir’s free car park. Option B would restrict traffic just east of Heron Close, directing motorists to use Chaffcombe Road for access.
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Alan Muir, Somerset Council’s principal transport planner for active travel, emphasized the trial nature of the scheme: “Any changes would be implemented through an experimental traffic order lasting up to 18 months. This approach lets residents experience the new setup and provide feedback before any permanent decisions are made.” The physical barriers, known as modal filters, could include bollards, planters, or concrete blocks with clear signage to inform road users of the restrictions. Pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders would retain full passage.
This project could influence the future of Chard’s long-discussed eastern relief road (ERR), a proposed route intended to improve traffic flow between major roads such as the A358 and the A30. While a preferred route report was commissioned before the dissolution of South Somerset District Council, it has yet to be publicly released or debated.
Besides Touches Lane, similar ‘green lane’ trials are under consideration for Highcroft Lane in Gurney Slade, Downend Road in Puriton, Comeytrowe Road in Taunton, and Burcott Lane in Wells.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, encourages residents to take part, saying, “These initiatives are a starting point to make local routes safer and more inviting for walking, cycling, and horse riding. Community feedback is crucial to shaping successful and permanent changes.”
To participate in the consultation, residents can visit www.somersetcouncil.citizenspace.com/highways/greenlanes before February 24.