NEARLY three quarters of a million pounds could be spent on enhancing numerous waterways if a new funding bid proves successful.

Somerset Council’s draft Taunton waterways strategy identifies a number of projects which could regenerate the town’s waterways and riverside areas, improving the appearance of the town and making the area more accessible for both residents and visitors.

The council has prioritised a number of ‘quick wins’ which could be delivered in the coming years – including the delivery of the Firepool boulevard, a possible cycle link along Priory Bridge Road and the conversion of the former pump-house at Firepool Lock for commercial use.

Taunton Town Council has now agreed to join forces with Somerset Council to bid for a £785,000 grant from the nature towns and cities fund (part of the National Lottery heritage fund) to move some of these proposals closer to reality.

Councillor Connor Sollé, who chairs the town council’s planning, development and licensing committee, spoke in favour of the bid when the full council met in Taunton on November 12.

Longrun Meadow in Taunton (Photo: Daniel Mumby)
Longrun Meadow in Taunton (Photo: Daniel Mumby) (Longrun Meadow in Taunton (Photo: Daniel Mumby))

He said: “We want to improve Taunton’s ecology, reducing flooding and improving water quality, as well as bringing new business opportunities to the town.

“This strategy is precise and ambitious; it gives a good idea of what Taunton could look like in the future with these high-priority items ticked off.”

Mr Sollé’s Vivary ward includes significant stretches of both the Sherford Stream and the Stockwell Stream, which run either side of Vivary Park before joining the River Tone.

If successful, the funding bid will be used for “capacity building and partnership working”, allowing these projects to move forward in their design but not paying for any new capital works (e.g. building new bridges).

The town council said it could use some of the funding to developer a new Taunton Neighbourhood Plan (laying out where new developments could be delivered in the town), a plan to increase biodiversity, and studies on how localised flooding could be mitigated.

Mr Sollé added: “We know there are issues in all of our wards – we encounter them on a day-to-day basis, especially coming into the winter months.

“This is a really good chance for all of us as councillors to really improve Taunton for the future.”