Taunton Urban Design Framework - Taunton Deane Borough Council

MovementTraffic and HighwaysTraffic levels in Taunton are currently growing at a rapidrate. A 28% rise in the number of vehicles using thenetwork in Taunton during the morning peak is expectedbetween 2001 and 2011 leading to a three-fold increase incongestion.In response to this anticipated growth, two new highwaylinks are proposed within the expanded town centre.Upper Canal Street and the ‘Third Way’ follow the broadroute of previous highway proposals, the Northern InnerDistributor Road (NIDR) and Inner Relief Road (IRR).The new routes are however redesigned, and realigned,to create high quality environment and maximisedevelopment opportunities.Upper Canal StreetUpper Canal Street provides an east - west link betweenPriory Avenue and Staplegrove Road, and an additionalriver crossing giving strategic access to the Firepool site.The link will reduce cross town traffic through the towncentre and alleviate environmental problems on GreenwayRoad. By following the route of the railway line as far aspossible, Upper Canal Street minimises its visual impact,avoids creating an additional barrier to pedestrianmovement and maximises the development potentialof Firepool.Town centre transport proposals32 Extending The Town CentreSection 3Taunton UDF