Temporary closure of Taunton’s East Street to be removed
It's to help address traffic congestion.
Last updated 8th May 2021
The street has been closed to traffic since last summer as part of Government’s measures to support the reopening of high streets.
A decision has now been made to remove the temporary closure as part of a range of ongoing measures by Somerset County Council’s Highways team to address traffic congestion.
It comes after essential work on a new residential block in the Paul Street area of Taunton has been the focus of delays for motorists this past week.
Traffic was controlled by teams on the ground, but further disruptions are expected wk. com 24th May.
Therefore, a decision was made to inform Somerset West and Taunton Council to remove the current East Street closure from that week, to allow the travelling public to choose which route they wish to take.
Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways said:
“We fully understand and share the concerns of road users and local people about the congestion in Taunton and our teams are continuing to work tirelessly to ensure traffic flow is maintained and disruption is kept to a minimum while essential developer works, both here and across Taunton, are carried out.
“We recognise the strength of feeling both for and against the longer term closure of East Street, our condition for supporting a permanent pedestrianisation proposal has always been, and remains, that there needs to be a comprehensive, ongoing and meaningful consultation with businesses, road users and residents.”
East Street is scheduled to open to traffic again on the 24 May.