A vital scheme to connect Taunton’s Firepool Development with essential utilities gets underway later this month.
The Somerset Council works on Priory Bridge Road start on 31 July and are an important step forward for the development. The scheme involves significant excavation of the road so the team can deliver a new sewage connection.
A one-way system will need to be in place throughout work from 31 July to 1 September. Traffic will be able to travel from Station Road towards Priory Road Roundabout but will not be able to travel down Priory Bridge Road beyond the junction with Morrisons.
The Council is doing these works in the summer holidays when there is less traffic It is also taking the opportunity to do signal repair work in the immediate area and giving Openreach access to lay fibre cables. This will avoid further disruption at a later date.
The team has been contacting residents and businesses in the immediate area, including Somerset County Cricket Club, to ensure any disruption is minimised and travel advice is provided to spectators ahead of any fixtures.
A Somerset County Council spokesperson said: “We understand this will inevitably have an impact on residents, businesses and road users, but the Firepool development is a crucial part of the regeneration of Taunton and we need to keep it on track.
“There’s never a good time to schedule this – during the summer holidays is the best time in terms of impact on traffic flow.
“At the same time, we’d urge people to plan ahead as much as possible, particularly as there will continue to be essential gas mains replacement work in East Reach and East Street on the other side of town.
“If you’re visiting Taunton, we’d strongly advise using the park and ride services at Silk Mills or Gateway. It’s just £1 to get into town, will save you having to get involved with traffic and you’ll be helping to reduce congestion.
“In a matter of a few weeks we’ll have delivered an important stage of the Firepool development which is a massive benefit to the long-term future of Taunton.”
More information on the Firepool regeneration project can be found at: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/
Wales and West can be contacted via 07977059946 or 0800 912 29 99.
If you have any questions or specific access arrangements as a result of the Priory Bridge works please contact the Contractor’s Project Manager Dave Collin on 07519 115287.