Taunton has unveiled its long-awaited ‘park and bus’ facility, designed to serve the growing Orchard Grove development on the A38. This new transport hub encourages residents to leave their cars behind and use efficient bus services into the town centre, easing congestion and promoting greener travel.
Orchard Grove is a significant development featuring 2,000 new homes situated between Wellington Road (A38) and Honiton Road, marking a major expansion on Taunton’s western outskirts. Along with residential housing, the area includes commercial spaces, a care home, a primary school, and the newly opened park and bus site.
Although construction was completed by summer 2025—including dedicated entry and exit lanes on the Orchard Grove roundabout—the facility’s opening was delayed due to legal negotiations between Somerset Council and the developers. These issues have now been resolved, allowing residents to take full advantage.
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The facility boasts a free 200-space car park and is served by modern electric buses operating on routes 22, 22A, and X22 between Taunton and Wellington. This initiative complements the council’s existing park and ride services at Ruishton (A358) and Silk Mills Road (A3065), though regular fares apply, with a government cap of £3.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, highlighted the benefits: “People can park up and jump on a scheduled bus that takes them right into the heart of our county town. This service is convenient, removes the hassle of town centre parking, and supports our efforts to reduce carbon emissions. We aim to make bus travel a genuine alternative to private cars.”
Peter Sadler, managing director of Vistry Southwest, part of the Orchard Grove consortium, expressed enthusiasm about the opening: “This park and bus facility represents a key milestone for us. It reinforces our commitment to building a sustainable, connected community, improving transport access not only for residents but the wider region. We’re proud to collaborate with Somerset Council to deliver this innovative solution.”
Looking ahead, Somerset Council’s planning committee west is set to decide later this month on proposals for two additional housing clusters along Egremont Road within Orchard Grove. These plans will add 208 more homes, further expanding the development.