Category: Cycling Policy

A358 scheme still ignores direct and safe cycling route

Three years ago, TACC submitted a petition to National Highways (NH) with three asks on their A358 dualling scheme. The three asks, and NH’s response, are as follows:

  1. A quality cycle track between Ilminster and Taunton. NH are proposing a convoluted and relatively hilly ‘off line’ route which will be shared with traffic. This is way short of what should be provided.
  2. Safe and attractive crossing to A358/Junction 25 at the M5 – a bridge or a tunnel. NH have actually back tracked on their earlier proposed improvements.
  3. Confirmation that wherever the road cuts across quiet rural lanes, safe crossings will be provided. NH are proposing two traffic free bridge crossings on the southern section of the route. But one of the most popular crossings at Mattocks Tree Green is proposed to become very hostile for active travel.

Our petition is supported by over 1000 people.

Our comments to NH following the June consultation on the amended scheme

Despite working constructively with the National Highways Project Team throughout the Consultation Process, the cycling provision in the Supplementary Consultation of June 2022 falls well short of the direct and safe quality strategic cycling route the £350m scheme should provide (especially given DfT policy and design guidance ‘Gear Change’).

Picture of cyclist on road
Part of the trafficked ‘off line’ cycle route proposed by National Highways – Start of the long climb through Ash Hill

TACC accepted that the ‘offline’ option proposed by NH potentially had some benefits on some sections, but the proposed offline cycle route meanders both horizontally and vertically compared with the more direct alignment of the A358. Given that NH propose to ban cycling on the A358, this is unfair and creates an in-built bias against active travel and in favour of carbon based transport.

Also, if ringfenced funding and a legal agreement for improvement work on Somerset Highways roads is not in place, we do not believe these will be delivered. These must address safety concerns on the existing Henlade-Thornfalcon dual carriageway section and the A358 at Horton Cross.

However, if agreement cannot be found between National Highways & Somerset County Council on who will fund the offline sections then the only option is to return to the parallel cycle track proposal, which contrary to NH’s assertion, would not sever the local cycling network or the NCN route, as it would be accessible at each of the proposed crossings.

Modest changes by NH do not address main issues

NH has completely ignored the current and projected growth of e-bikes and their potential for longer journeys between settlements with benefits that modal shift brings.

The modest changes made after the Statutory Consultation of November 2021 are welcome and reduce cycling network severance, but do not address many of the issues, including delivering a good quality Ilminster-Taunton strategic cycle route (in particular the offline sections), safety – especially at Mattocks Tree Green junction and at Southfields roundabout – and a comprehensive solution for cyclists crossing M5 Junction 25.

Based on this, we are objecting to the project on the basis of inadequate cycle provision. We are willing to work with NH on the lead up to the Public Examination, to agree a much improved solution. This work needs to address the specific issues we have outlined to them.

We will continue to lobby for a better solution that TACC can support.

Matt Day, Mike Ginger & Jonathan Sladden
TACC representatives

Somerset County Council apologises for errors

Somerset County Council (SCC) has apologised after officers failed to consult and carry out a risk assessment for changes to a junction in central Taunton. In early 2021, SCC introduced a dedicated left turn filter lane to increase capacity to cars on the Castle Street/Wellington Road junction. This put cyclists going ahead to the Wellington road cycle provision in conflict with left turning traffic.

Initially, SCC ignored representations from individual cyclists and the hazard was in place for nearly a year. When TACC approached them, the problem was resolved.
A Freedom of Information Act request revealed that the original changes were made without consultation and a risk assessment. We feel that this showed a disregard for safety of vulnerable road users.

Castle Street/Wellington Road junction

The full response to the complaint to SCC is below:
Thank you for raising your concerns regarding how the minor traffic signal changes were made to the Castle Street/A38 junction in Taunton.  There was no intention to adversely affect cyclists and the changes were reverted once officers were made aware of the implications [Note: this wasn’t the case – Ed.]. In hindsight, risk assessments and consultations should have been undertaken, for which I can only apologise.

As you may be aware, the County Council has recently been doing a lot of work on Active Travel, especially following the Governments launch of its Cycling and Walking Plan for England, through the  Gear Change document  and also the launch of Design Guidance LTN 1/20 in 2020.  We are now therefore more focussed on these issues and the need for a greater emphasis on designing for encouraging safe active travel.  Moving forward our teams will assess the impact of any traffic signal design changes, and if these affect vulnerable road users then appropriate processes such as safety audit and consultation will be included, prior to scheme implementation.

I hope the above helps to reassure you, and I also apologise for the delay in getting a reply to you.

Results in 2021

Every year we publish a comprehensive list of our activities and the results obtained. It’s an extensive list of various activities with mostly positive results. Looking back on 2021, we would like to highlight the next three issues:
    • The ‘Wake up Somerset Highways’ rally to Somerset County Hall and the presentation of an alarm clock, and 9 requests to the Cabinet member for transport (John Woodman). It generated extensive media coverage.
    • The Cycle and Walking map has been was updated and reprinted. We charge £1 per copy to cover the cost of the next edition. Over 70% of costs are covered so far.
    • The Wellington to Taunton (W2T) Cycle path. We have established and run a W2T Project Group. There was a protest ride on the A38 to Sheppy’s Cider Farm with support to Citizens UK / Wellington Wheelers.

For a full list of activities and results please read the complete summary »

Local Elections 2022 – Summary of pledges

Sign with text Polling Station and bicycle

On 5 May 2022 people will be voting to determine who controls the new Somerset Authority. The Somerset Authority will replace Somerset County Council and the 4 District Councils.

We encourage everyone who is interested in green and healthy transport to vote.

To help you decide who to vote for we have collected the track record and pledges of the competing parties.

A358 – Response from National Highways to our petition

In June 2019 we delivered our petition for proper cycle provisions as part of Highways England’s A358 scheme to National Highways regional office in Bristol. Thank you again for supporting this petition. We have finally got an official response from National Highways, which we received after officially complaining that they had not provided this.

Road sign showing A358 Taunton-Ilminster

We have put considerable time and effort in meetings with National Highways, and we feel that their response falls way short of expectations, given the current emphasis on active travel and climate/environmental issues.

Somerset County Council is in a strong position to influence National Highways. We have asked repeatedly to meet with them on this issue but no meeting has been offered. Taunton Deane’s MP Rebecca Pow has supported our campaign in the past.

Call for action

Please email the leader of Somerset CC David Fothergill and MP Rebecca Pow and ask them to use their influence to get a better outcome for active travel i.e., a continuous, direct and safe Ilminster-Taunton route, less severance of existing routes and an effective crossing at J25.

Read National Highways’ response »

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