Traffic lights at East Reach/South Street in Taunton will be the first to see work. Picture: Google

Traffic lights in Taunton being changed to favour buses

Paul JonesMarch 20, 20250 Comment0

WORK to alter roads in Taunton to give buses priority at traffic lights will get underway on Monday (March 24).

The changes, aimed at encouraging more people to use buses in the town, will see a smart system effectively link oncoming buses with the signals and enable the lights to change and allow them through.

The system aims to cut travel times for passengers and help operators avoid delays as part of Somerset Council’s Government-funded Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).

To start the work, contractors will be at three sets of lights on East Reach between March 24 and April 16, with some lane closures and temporary traffic lights in place between 6pm and 11pm.

The initial work is scheduled to take place at the following locations in Taunton:

South Street/East Reach Junction: March 24 – April 8
Haydon Road/East Reach junction Civils Works: April 1 – April 9
Victoria Gate Junction Civils Works: April 10 – April 16

The new signals will then be installed during June and July under a temporary traffic lights system.

Lead member for transport and waste services at the council, Cllr Richard Wilkins, said: “This system will be hugely important in terms of improving bus journey times.

“We want more people to bus it to work, the shops, school and education sites, as well as for leisure, and that includes Taunton’s excellent Park and Ride service.

“We want buses to have priority when it comes to navigating through town, so bus users can feel real benefits in taking a more sustainable travel option.”