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Travel and
transport news
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Somerset Council teams have continued to support communities following the recent flooding experienced at the end of January.
As flood water subsided council teams worked hard to clear roads of debris and mud and carry out repairs where needed.
And to support those who were affected by flooding at the end of January 2025, Somerset Council alongside partners from the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and the Somerset Rivers Authority will be hosting drop-in events alongside other agencies.
All events will be running from 4-7pm and there’s no need to book ahead.
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Chard: Wednesday 26 February, The Guildhall, TA20 1PP
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Ilminster: Wednesday 5 March, The Shrubbery, TA19 9AR
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South Petherton: Tuesday 11 March, The David Hall, TA13 5AA
Attendees will be able to speak with different agencies and service areas from the council including the Flood and Coastal Team, Housing, Highways, Town Planning, Emergency Planning, Public Health, Economic Development as well as the Environment Agency, Wessex Water and the Somerset Rivers Authority.
Flood-affected residents will be able to get advice and support as well as share any information they may have that can help inform flood investigations.
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Somerset Council is considering a range of new proposals to improve bus provision in the county under a major government funded initiative.
The Council has already trialled initiatives such as evening bus services and capped fares in Taunton along with plans for transport hubs in the county and bus priority measures following an initial £12 million in funding from government for the Somerset Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) in 2022.
An additional £6 million for 2025/26 was announced, and the Council is now deciding how to use this money. Initial ideas and themes discussed with bus user groups and bus operators include:
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New proposals for Yeovil and Bridgwater such as evening bus services, transport hubs, and bus priority measures
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Review of evening services in Taunton for continued funding
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Maintain £1 Park and Ride fare in Taunton
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Develop Taunton’s Transport Hub
The Government confirmed last month that a fare cap remains in place at just £3 for any single journey across Somerset and England until December 2025.
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The Celebration Mile will make Bridgwater town centre more attractive and help increase footfall.
To minimise summer disruption, Clare Street will be closed to vehicles for up to five months from 17 February as part of the Celebration Mile project, funded by the Government’s Town Deal scheme. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the closure.
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Bridgwater traders and residents are being invited to join a breakfast drop-in this month to learn more about the work that is delivering the town’s Celebration Mile. The session, from 9am-11am on 24 February at the Mercure Hotel.
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A successful workshop brought together more than 70 highways and transport experts from a range of organisations to explore how non-fossil fuels could be used to reduce the carbon emissions of their fleets of vehicles.
This included the NHS, National Grid, local emergency services, highways contractors such as Kiely Bros, and neighboring councils.
The event aims to kick-start ongoing work between all those attending the event to address the pressing issue of climate change through innovation. The participants of the day have joined forces in working groups to move towards a greener future.
Watch the video.
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Somerset Council is working with Wessex Water and Wales and West Utilities to co-ordinate two vital infrastructure schemes in Chard during 2025.
Wessex Water is investing more than £1.3 million to help alleviate sewer flooding in the town, while Wales & West Utilities is investing £415,000 to upgrade the gas network in the area, switching from the current metal pipes to long-lasting pipes, with the work being carried out between January and approximately October 2025. This week sees the start of phase two of the work.
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Somerset Council is launching an online engagement on proposals to make improvements on one of its key transport arteries.
The Council is working in partnership with North Somerset Council (NSC) to secure Government funding for a series of improvement schemes on a stretch of the A38 which runs from the Edithmead Roundabout at Junction 22 of the M5 to the South Bristol Link (Colliters Way).
Proposals will improve pedestrian and cycling provision and increase capacity at Edithmead roundabout.
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Share your thoughts on proposed changes to travel assistance for SEND learners as part of Somerset Council's Post-16 Local Transport Policy before Sunday 30 March 2025.
This policy sets out transport arrangements for eligible Post-16 (age 16 to 18) and Post-19 (aged 19 and over) learners in Somerset to their further education settings.
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Video of Hampshire County Council's new electric gritter
Wessex Live Labs are trialling a fantastic new technology, an electric road gritter. The new eco-friendly, zero-emission e-gritter was welcomed to Hampshire County Council’s winter fleet.
This is just one of the innovative technologies being testing as part of the larger UK-wide £30 million programme – ADEPT #LiveLabs2 – funded by the Department of Transport #DfT.
Somerset Council is working with Cornwall Council and Hampshire County Council to reduce carbon emissions from activities related to the repair and maintenance of local roads.
National Highways are resurfacing the A303 between Newtown and Stopgate Cross. This will maintain and improve safety for everyone using the road.
The work will be carrying out via full weekend closures, when the road is at it's quietest. Access will be maintained to properties directly within the closure.
The full weekend closures of the A303 will be between Stopgate Cross and Newtown from 8pm on Friday 28 February until 6am on Monday 3 March.
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