Somerset Council has confirmed that construction of Taunton’s new £3.7 million transport hub will commence shortly after Christmas. This development marks a significant step in replacing the now-defunct Tower Street facility, which closed in March 2020, with a modern interchange for buses and coaches as part of the council’s ongoing Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Following a public consultation in summer 2024 and further input from Taunton Town Council in June 2025 regarding potential community uses for some of the existing buildings, the council has awarded the main construction contract worth £1,946,000. The transport hub is slated to open by late summer 2026.
The new facility will feature six ‘drive in, drive out’ bus stops, allowing buses to avoid reversing onto Tower Street. Additionally, two coach stops will be located along Castle Way near Mecca Bingo, facilitating seamless transfers between local and nationwide coach services. Five layover bays will accommodate buses waiting off-service, keeping the town centre clear.
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Each bus shelter will provide seating and solar panels, supporting sustainability efforts. Passengers will benefit from real-time information displays, an indoor waiting room with toilets, and a dedicated changing places toilet facility alongside accessible parking.
Outside, the hub will showcase a pedestrianised plaza with outdoor seating, greenery, bicycle parking, and new pedestrian crossings connecting to Goodlands Gardens and local active travel routes.
Robert Downes, Somerset Council’s regeneration and major projects officer, emphasized the plan to open by August 2026, aligning with the annual autumn bus timetable updates. Operational strategies will address peak demand and integration with other transport modes.
While a feasibility study considered commercial spaces like cafés or offices on adjacent land, the council decided against this due to limited funding, low occupier interest, and a saturated local food and drink market.
The site previously served as an NHS vaccination centre during the COVID-19 pandemic, but plans for future NHS use were dropped due to parking constraints posed by the new transport hub.
Taunton Town Council is exploring options to revitalize existing on-site buildings by adding lifts, creating community spaces, rentable offices, and public toilets. This collaborative approach aims to create a vibrant transport and community hub.
Total project costs are estimated at £3,762,800, which includes a contingency fund of nearly £554,000 to cover potential increases in material costs. Funding comes entirely from central government grants, comprising £3,462,800 from BSIP and £300,000 from the Department for Transport’s local transport grant.
To control expenses, the project is divided into six construction contracts, with the main contract covering the bulk of the work and additional contracts addressing smaller elements such as shelters.
The council’s BSIP revenue grant will support hub operations through March 2029, after which ongoing costs are expected to transition to Somerset Council or Taunton Town Council unless further governmental funding is secured.