Taunton’s former bus station site is set to get a new lease of life as a vital transport interchange under new proposals.

A plan to revamp the site will be shared with the public and businesses as part of Taunton’s wider regeneration plans and people will be able to comment on what Somerset Council is proposing to include in the new transport hub in terms of facilities.

The hub is part of Somerset’s Bus Service Improvement plan and will offer a range of modern and sustainable transport options, including bus, coach, and bike parking.

It will also feature attractive public spaces, green areas, as well as links to the town centre and the River Tone.

The project is funded by ring-fenced Government money which can only be used to develop the transport hub.

Somerset Council is running an online survey to gather people’s views on the plans. The website will have images and plans which can be viewed and downloaded.

You can find out more and take part in the survey here: Taunton Transport Hub – Somerset Council – Citizen Space.

The online engagement runs from 23 July to 17 September.

Features proposed for the hub include:

• Six bus stops within the site, each with their own bus shelter. These are drive in, drive out bus stops and are considered safer than the previous drive in, reverse out bays.
• Two coach stops located nearby along Castle Way to better facilitate the interchange experience for passengers between the local bus network and the nationwide coach journeys.
• Five layover bays. This will provide local buses with a dedicated area for buses to be parked during layover periods. This will help prevent buses being parked around the town.
• Real time information to help passengers know when their next bus is due to arrive.
• Indoor waiting room with toilets.
• A changing places toilet facility with dedicated accessible parking bay.

We would urge people to get involved with the survey and take a look at the plans – please tell us what sort of facilities you’d like to see.

The Transport Hub is a really welcome development for bus users and those wishing to cycle or walk in Taunton.

One of our key aims within the Taunton Garden Town Vision is to offer more transport options and by doing so reduce car dependency with increased bus service patronage, helping to create a greener, cleaner town centre.

In line with Taunton’s Garden Town Vision, the proposal aims to improve transport links in the town, making it easier and more attractive to use public transport and/or walking and cycling.

You can read more about the Garden Town Vision here Vision for our garden town (somerset.gov.uk)

You can get travel updates from @TravelSomerset on X and Facebook.   Report a problem on the road by visiting Report a problem on the road (somerset.gov.uk)