PLANS TO make Taunton town centre a 'user-friendly' area for pedestrians and cyclists will be moving forward next year.

Taunton Deane Borough Council has confirmed plans for the permanent closure of St James Street, between North Street and Lower Middle Street, in the New Year. The pedestrianisation of the street will be 'phase one' of the plans.

Phase two will see an 18-month trial of Hammet Street and East Street to all vehicles except buses and cyclists.

The plans have seen a series of delays since they were first announced for autumn 2017.

Cllr Richard Parrish, Executive member for Planning Policy and Transportation, said: “Taunton becoming a Garden Town gave us a real opportunity to review our town centre and look at how we can create a better environment for residents, shoppers and visitors, which will help attract investment and allow businesses to thrive.

"We’ve seen this work well in other areas, and we’re keen that traffic is redirected to more appropriate routes. We want to free up space for new and improved public areas that are attractive and inviting for everyone with fewer vehicles, less pollution and reduced noise.”

READ MORE: Residents gather to support plans to pedestrianise St James Street

Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council are currently working on the finer details of the proposed phase two changes with the appointed transport and urban design specialists WSP.

A further consultation will be held for East Street, where the local community can put thoughts forward about the proposed designs. If the trial is successful, the permanent changes to both East Street and Hammet Street will follow 'as quickly as possible'.

The council says the public space project will generate opportunities for businesses, event organisers and artists to explore creative uses of the town’s most attractive areas. It forms part of a much wider plan to enhance Taunton’s appeal along with the regeneration of Coal Orchard and Firepool.

Cllr David Fothergill, leader of Somerset County Council, said: “We’re pleased to be working alongside Taunton Deane Borough Council to support their aspirations to improve the town in keeping with its status as the first Garden Town in the South West. This scheme is all about enhancing the visitor experience in Taunton and making it more appealing for pedestrians and cyclists.”

The Traffic Regulation Order and commencement of the statutory consultation period relating to the closure of St James Street will be published on November 22.

Further information on the TRO process and an opportunity to make representations can be found here.

To accompany this stage of works, a webpage dedicated to the Public Space Improvement Project is now live. This can be found at www.investtaunton.co.uk/publicspace.