A key roundabout in Taunton town centre can’t be made safer for pedestrians and cyclists due to a lack of funding. The Market House roundabout, known for its distinctive cobbled surface, links the A3027 with Corporation Street and Hammet Street in the town’s main shopping area.
The Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC) has called on Somerset Council to make the roundabout safer, citing concern about the “slippery and very uneven surface” and demanding that “urgent repairs” be undertaken. The council has responded that it will make small-scale repairs where needed but has no funding available for any more ambitious improvements.
TACC members Marian Nieuwenhuizen and Pip Sheard presented a petition attracting more than 400 signatures to the full council when it met in Bridgwater on December 18. They said: “Many cyclists have told us that they find this junction scary, and some people avoid the area with their bikes and tell us they have fallen off their bikes.
“This is due to a slippery and very uneven surface, making it difficult to properly steer a cycle and hand signal. This is especially so when vehicles are in conflict with cyclist’s movements.
“Motorcyclists and even drivers have told us that the poor surface is a problem.” Two other TACC members cited incidents they had experienced on the roundabout over the last 18 months, reinforcing the need to urgently address these problems.
(Image: Somerset Council)
Su Mo said: “On December 19, 2023, on a wet day in Taunton, I was taking the right turn from Corporation Street onto East Reach and was especially cautious given the wet surface. I was riding my cyclo-cross bike, designed for tougher conditions.
“Despite taking every precaution, as I rounded the turn, my front wheel suddenly slipped on the wet cobblestones, and I lost control. Thankfully, there were no vehicles directly behind me, and two drivers on the other side kindly stopped to check if I was okay.
“The experience was a reminder of just how hazardous this roundabout’s surface can be for cyclists.” Jenny Wood added: “While riding around the Market House roundabout, I was knocked off my bike by someone in a car entering the roundabout.
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
“Normally when I cycle, I am alert to vehicles approaching from side roads etc. and try to make eye contact to make sure that they have seen me and are stopping. Unfortunately, the unevenness and hazardousness of the cobbles on the roundabout meant that I was looking down and slightly forward rather than looking out for cars, especially those coming on to the roundabout from my left.
“I was wearing a quite bright pink coat and travelling slowly, but the driver still didn’t appear to spot me and drove straight out. I’m certain that if the surface on the roundabout had been smooth, I would have been looking up and watching for cars entering the roundabout, as usual, perhaps avoiding being knocked off.”
TACC had supported Somerset West and Taunton Council in a successful bid to the government’s future high streets fund, with £13.9M being awarded in December 2020 to deliver an improved walking and cycling route between Taunton railway station and Vivary Park, via Firepool and Coal Orchard. Somerset Council – which inherited the project in April 2023 – confirmed in January that it would not be upgrading the Market House roundabout as part of these proposals, citing the rising cost of materials.
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
Numerous other elements of the route have either been completed or are in the process of being delivered – including the new boulevard through the Firepool site, the new footbridge between the Morrison’s store and Coal Orchard, and the upgraded crossing over the A38 Upper High Street. Mmes Nieuwenhuizen and Sheard concluded: “The Market House junction is a key location for Taunton cycle journeys.
“Our survey of cyclists identified it as one of the top problem ‘hot spots’ in the Taunton area. No proper repairs have been carried out in the 30 or so years since the cobbles were installed and now the surface is pitted and broken. Please take this issue of cyclists’ safety seriously, live up to your duty of care and do the essential work needed to repair the surface.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said he was aware of issues with the roundabout but said there was no funding available to carry out anything more than minor repairs.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services
(Image: Daniel Mumby)
He explained: “We are aware of the concerns about this junction, and it is unfortunate that the cost increases in delivering the project has meant the future high streets funding could not stretch to this junction. We have had to stretch this funding a long way and we have to rely on external funding for significant improvements.
“We continue to look for external funding for this improvement; in the meantime, please report any issues via our website and this will be handled by our maintenance teams.”
To report an issue on your local roads, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road.
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