July 25th 2023
Schools out: a major Taunton regeneration scheme is taking its next steps
As schools have broken up for the summer holidays, developers in Taunton have seized the opportunity to progress on the towns latest regeneration scheme.
With school now being out for summer, Somerset Council have made the decision to close a main road into Taunton so developers can progress with the next stage of the Firepool regeneration project.
The project, which was announced earlier this year, includes plans to regenerate a former cattle site on Canal Way to create a mixture of residential, commercial, and cultural developments.
Work on the scheme has already begun, as last month work to complete a new access road linking the site to the A3087 Trenchard Way was finalised. However, the council have now announced that the A3038 Priory Bridge Road will be closed between 31st July and 1st September to allow for new sewage connections to be installed ahead of any further development.
A one-way system will be in place throughout the roadworks to allow for ‘significant excavation’ of the road, with the sewage system being located four meters below the surface level of the highway.
A spokesperson from Somerset Council 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.’
Image: Ivan Bandura
Newstart frequently cover regeneration stories across the UK to inform readers of the latest projects that will be transforming areas near them.
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