Bus Station Campaign

A campaign has been launched to return Taunton’s bus station to the town centre.

Local Liberal Democrats have included it among their manifesto commitments ahead of elections to the new Taunton Town Council on May 4th.

The bus station in Tower Street closed in 2020 but the site was purchased by the Lib Dem-controlled Somerset West and Taunton Council – now part of the new Somerset Council.

It was revealed in February that discussions were under way for the return of bus facilities on the site.

Somerset Bus Partnership’s Taunton Co-Chair Martin Straus welcomed news of the campaign.

He said: “Everyone was disappointed when the bus company abandoned the site and I’m delighted the LibDem councillors at County Hall and in the town are working to get it reopened.

“One reason I’ve decided to stand for election to the town council as a Liberal Democrat is to make sure we get a real public transport hub back in the town centre.

“If we’re going to sustain public transport here it’s going to be really important people have somewhere to sit, shelter and be assured of reliability.

“It is also essential to have good integration between key points around the town centre and the railway station, by means of frequent shuttle services."

Gideon Amos, the party’s candidate for Taunton and Wellington at the next General Election added: “New night buses, £1 bus fares and saving the Park and Ride service from being closed by the outgoing Conservative council administration all serve to demonstrate our commitment to better transport in the town.

“It’s this kind of commitment to improving walking, cycling and public transport which I believe shows we are the team who work for you when it comes to giving Taunton a brighter future”.

The manifesto policy unveiled today (Tuesday) commits the party on the new town council to “work with Somerset Council on the formation of a new Transport Hub at the former bus station site”.

It is part of a suite of transport proposals which also include commitments to:

• Create a Transport Committee which will consult with residents over their local bus routes and seek to lobby First and Somerset Council on your behalf.
• Undertake an audit of all bus shelters in the Taunton area.
• Recognise Somerset Bus Partnership as a partner.
• Seek to obtain ownership of all bus shelters in Taunton and work with Somerset Bus Partnership and Somerset Council to improve these facilities for users.
• Work with Somerset Council and Taunton Area Cycling Campaign to improve Taunton’s pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

The Lib Dems’ full manifesto for the Taunton Town Council elections will be released by the party in the near future.