Taunton Urban Design Framework - Taunton Deane Borough Council

Rail StationRail StationThe railway station is a key gateway to Taunton andFirepool. Its foyer will be enhanced, a 270 space car parkdedicated to rail users and a high quality space providedfor bus interchange.A new pedestrian route to the town centre, comprising aboulevard from a new station foyer leading directly to anew space on the riverfront would lead visitors throughthe heart of the new business quarter and to the entranceof the redeveloped cricket ground. It would provide animportant first impression for those arriving by rail.North of RailwayLand north of the railway will incorporate a mix oftownhouses, workshops and ‘live-work’ units. Theemployment proposals provide an appropriate use alongthe railway. The townhouses extend the existingresidential neighbourhood. A new ‘shared-use’ bridge (forpedestrians and cyclists) will link the residential areas anddesignated enterprise areas to the new employment andcommunity facilities south of the railway.West YardThe West Yard area provides a mix of residential andemployment space, accessed from Upper Canal Street.Light industrial units are proposed along the railway,meeting the needs of local businesses in the town.Apartments will front Station Road and Upper CanalStreet, with extensive views across the town.HealthcareThe transition area from the western end of Firepool,which is predominantly commercial, to the residentialcharacter of the east, provides the appropriate location forcommunity facilities which would serve the business andresident community. The Primary Care Trust has expressedinterest in a major new facility for the town centre whichcould replace a number of smaller GP surgeries andenhance primary care provision for residents across thetown. This would have particular benefits for the residentsof Lyngford and Priorswood wards who would have goodaccess to such a facility on foot, cycle or by publictransport.Upper Canal StreetUpper Canal Street provides a strategic east-west linkthrough the Firepool site. Its design will encouragebuildings to front the street. An attractive green walkwaywill run alongside the street to encourage walking andcycling within and across the site.42 Areas of Change - FirepoolSection 4Taunton UDF