Work is now under way on a new bus gate at Orchard Grove, the latest step in creating a well-connected community. The bus gate will create a dedicated route for buses, cyclists and pedestrians between Lambourne Road in Orchard Grove and Comeytrowe Lane, giving residents a more direct connection into Taunton and the surrounding area.
What’s being built
Over the next couple of months, the works will deliver the infrastructure for the bus gate, including:
- a wider, resurfaced road
- new footpaths
- drainage
- street lighting
- signage, including signs showing drivers who has right of way, to help manage traffic safely through the junction
To allow the works to be carried out safely, Comeytrowe Lane has been temporarily closed since Thursday 29th October. The works are programmed for completion by Wednesday 23rd December, subject to weather and ground conditions.
When can it be used?
Once construction is complete, the bus gate will open in stages:
- On foot and by bike: pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use the new connection once nearby housebuilding is finished and they can pass through the area safely. This is currently expected to be in spring next year.
- Buses: the bus gate won’t open to vehicles until a bus service is in place, so no traffic, including site traffic, will use it before then. Once it’s in use, cameras will make sure only buses pass through.
Decisions on bus services, including which routes will use the bus gate and when they will start, sit with Somerset Council and the bus operators.
Building on the Park & Bus
The bus gate builds on the Park & Bus facility on the western edge of Orchard Grove, beside the A38. It opened as Somerset’s first park and bus. The facility offers free parking, electric vehicle charging points, cycle parking and a covered bus shelter. From there, Somerset Council’s electric bus services connect Orchard Grove with Taunton town centre and Wellington.
Together, the Park & Bus and the bus gate give the community travel options on two sides of the development: one linking to the A38 corridor, the other opening a direct route towards Comeytrowe Lane.
A connected community
Sustainable travel has been central to the design of Orchard Grove from the start. Alongside the bus gate and Park & Bus, a growing network of footpaths and cycleways links homes with green spaces, Civic Square and the wider area. Work is continuing this month on the footpath and cycleway leading towards the bus gate. A further lit footpath link is planned as part of Horts Bridge Park.
The Orchard Grove Consortium also works with Somerset Council’s Travel Plan Team to encourage greener travel, through initiatives such as the Residents Travel Survey and Dr Bike sessions. Visit the Travel page on the Orchard Grove website for more information.
Sustainable travel has always been central to the design of Orchard Grove. Building on the existing Park & Bus facility, the bus gate is another step towards giving the community convenient, greener ways to get around – and we look forward to seeing bus services make use of it in the future.
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