Study on Taunton to Wellington cycle link expected by end of year

The new cycle route would take cyclists away from the A38 near Wellington

Plans for a cycle link between two towns could finally move forwards after a £50,000 safety study is finished.

At present the A38 between the Taunton and Wellington has limited provision for cyclists in terms of cycle lanes.

The Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) has been campaigning for a new cycle route for many years.

Somerset Council said the study will be completed around Christmas, meaning delivery options could be taken forward in the next 12 months.

Part of the National Cycle Network (NCN) runs between Taunton town centre and the village of Langford Budville north of Wellington.

However, only a short-section of this, in the Tangier section of Taunton, is traffic-free.

For the rest of the route cyclists have to share the road with other vehicles, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Many of those who have campaigned for the link, which was first commissioned in 2018, complained the council has taken too long over the study.

'Being dragged on'

TACC chairman Mike Ginger said: "We urge the council to quickly complete the technical study so that we know its preferred option."

Somerset West and Taunton Council confirmed in September 2022 that a new study will be undertaken looking at safe routes between the two towns, which would form the basis of any bid for central government funding.

Somerset Council replaced the district council in April this year.

Campaign group Citizens Somerset also criticised the delayed report.

Chris Waddilove, from the group, said: "It feels that the technical process is being allowed to drag on, therefore delaying the real work of drawing up a viable scheme."

The council said the study was delayed because of an "internal consultation", but has pledged it would be finished within the next two months.

A spokesman for the council added: "The work under way is a strategic outline business case (SOBC) to determine the most viable solution to improve sustainable transport between Wellington and Taunton. It is not a feasibility study for a cycle route.

"This work is required to evidence a case for investment, should central government grants or other funding become available."