Busy pedestrian crossing to be moved

The works will last for at least three months

A busy pedestrian crossing will be upgraded and moved to make it safer and more convenient.

Somerset Council is replacing the traffic lights on Taunton’s Upper High Street leading to the north entrance of Vivary Park.

They are installing new traffic signals and realigning markings to position it more directly with the park entrance.

"I think it's going to cause disruption for a lot of people," a woman who works at a local tattoo studio said.

Currently, the crossing is slightly removed from the park's entrance

"When they put a crossing here in the beginning, it was because somebody got run over," said Rob Knight, who owns the tattoo studio.

"I don't know what it's going to do to move it forwards."

A resident who lives on the other side of the park told BBC Radio Somerset: "I think it's a good idea, I think it makes it easier for people to utilise the park."

Temporary traffic lights will be in place while work is being done, along with a pedestrian crossing.

There will also be overnight road closures towards the end of the scheme for final resurfacing.

The work is part of Somerset Council’s Future High Streets Fund programme which includes improved pedestrian and cycling facilities for the town.

It will also involve replacing the traffic lights, which have reached the end of their working life.

Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and digital, councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “We are aware there could be some disruption at peak traffic times – the team will do their best to minimise this.

"Ultimately, we will have a much better positioned pedestrian crossing and state-of-the-art replacement traffic lights.”

Work starts on Monday 13 May, and is expected to be completed in August.

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