Work to renew traffic lights and crossings across Somerset as part of a multi-million package continues in Taunton later next month. 

The scheme will see upgrades to traffic signals on a junction and pedestrian crossing in the town from 23 July. 

Work centres on the signalised junction at South Road/Calway Road and a pedestrian crossing on Chestnut Drive. 

Work to replace signals at a number of sites in Yeovil is well underway and commences shortly in both Wells and Shepton Mallet, while Taunton’s Rowbarton scheme was completed in the Autumn. The team moves to Frome later in the year. 

The work in Taunton will take place for the duration of the summer holidays taking advantage of the light traffic during this period. It will be delivered under temporary lights, and access for residents and businesses will be maintained throughout. 

Somerset County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Transport and Digital, Cllr Mike Rigby said: “This further investment in our essential infrastructure ensures our network is fit for purpose for many years to come. 

“We understand this kind of work does impact on the network in Taunton – it involves significant excavation to take out the old cables and equipment – but the existing signal equipment has reached the end of its working life and must be replaced now, otherwise it is likely to fail causing disruption and extra cost to the public.

“Carrying out the work during the holidays allows the team to take advantage of the lighter traffic and minimises disruption. 

“We’ll be working closely with local businesses and the community to ensure they have all the information they need, and the impact of these works is kept to a minimum. We’ve also taken the decision to defer the construction of the new junction on Trenchard Way until after the summer holidays in order to avoid accumulative impacts of multiple simultaneous works” 

“The new signals will be more efficient, more eco-friendly, should improve traffic flow and provide much safer access for both cyclists and pedestrians.” 

Somerset County Council’s highways team recently netted the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transport highly commended status for its Rowbarton scheme in the CIHT 2022 awards. The scheme was recognised for its exemplar collaboration practices with partners and the community. 

For more information on the signals recovery programme visit Somerset Traffic Signal Refurbishment – Travel Somerset