Taunton Road Closures for Torch Relay

Taunton Deane Borough Council has issued a Press Release regarding road closures for the Olympic Torch Relay passing through Taunton on 21st May:

Road closures for Torch Relay

TAUNTON will be welcoming the London 2012 Olympic Torch relay on Monday 21 May and to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime event Taunton Deane Borough Council is planning a day of celebrations in the town centre.

This will mean a number of roads will be closed in the centre of Taunton from 10am to 10pm and diversions put in place.

Traffic will not be able to drive up or down North Street or across the town bridge between these times.

Bridge Streetwill be closed at the junction with Wood Street and all traffic travelling south will be diverted along Tangier Way (the Third Way) and onto Wellington Road.

North Streetwill be closed at the junction with Fore Street Traffic will be able to travel east/west along Corporation Street and East Street around the Burma Memorial and Hammet Street will be open as usual.

From early morning (7am) crowd barriers will be put out along the cycle lanes on each side of North Street. These are needed to provide a safe area for the programme of sporting activities taking place.

A one way systemwill operate around Middle Street, Lower Middle Street and St James Street from 6pm on Sunday 20 May until 10am on Tuesday 22 May. The North Street end of St James Street will be closed and access only will be provided through Priory Avenue, Canon Street, Middle Street and St James Street.

Coal Orchard roadwill be closed, except for limited access for residents.

The foot and cycle paths on both sides of the River Tone between Priory Bridge and the Morrison’s footbridge will be closed from midday on 21 May and will reopen at 7am on 22 May. Diversions will be in place for pedestrians and cyclists

Fore Street and High Street– the Continental Market will be on High Street, with stands around the Market House.  Due to the number of people expected in the town centre we would like to discourage driving onto High Street at peaks times and would encourage businesses to rearrange deliveries and waste collections.

A number of car parks will also be closed to facilitate the celebrations:

Coal Orchard car parkand Priory Bridge Roadcar park will be closed from 6pm Sunday 20 May 2012.  These will reopen on Tuesday 22 May at 10am.

The Olympic Torch will arrive in Taunton at Silk Mills Road / Heron Drive at 6.08pm on the evening of 21 May. A rolling programme of road closures will be operated by Avon & Somerset Police to allow it to make its way through the town into Somerset County Cricket Ground at 6.50pm.

It is likely traffic will start to build up in and around the town from 3.30pm on 21 May and there will be congestion across the peak period .We encourage employers to consider the effects of that on their businesses and on employees leaving work.  Why not stay and enjoy the celebrations? 

On the morning of 22 May 2012 the torch will leave Taunton from Somerset Square at 6.15am, along the River Tone and onto Priory Bridge Road.  Avon & Somerset Police will operate a road closure on Priory Bridge Road from approximately 4am to allow this to happen.  The torch will rejoin the convoy at around 6.30am, and will leave Taunton along Priory Bridge Road in the direction of the M5.

Due to the high volumes of visitors, road closures and parking limitations, we would like to encourage everyone to travel to the Torch Celebration without a car if possible. You can get information and advice about travelling by foot, bicycle and public transport from the Moving Forward team at Somerset County Council. See www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk or phone 01823 357016

·        Walking and cycling maps of Taunton are available at http://www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/walking-maps

·        Secure evening cycle parking will be provided at the Bike Park behind the Brewhouse Theatre: http://g.co/maps/8n7z9

·        Bus and bicycle journey planners are available at http://www.movingsomersetforward.co.uk/getting-around/journey-planner

·        AdditionalParkand Ride services will be provided from Silk Mills and Taunton Gateway – last service at 9pm.

If you have any further queries, get in touch at tauntontorch@tauntondeane.gov.uk