More Yeovil roadworks planned amid ?24m cycle route upgrades
Yeovil residents will find out in the autumn which new cycling routes will be delivered as part of ongoing efforts to regenerate their town centre.
Somerset Council[1] is pushing forward with different phases of the £24m Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme[2], designed to make the town centre more presentable and accessible for residents and visitors alike, and in doing so attract new businesses to the area.
As part of the Yeovil[3] Refresh, improvements have been planned to walking and cycling[4] routes leading to and from the town centre, building on the ongoing e-scooter trial (which runs until May 2024)[5] and the creation of the Yeovil local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP)[6].
The council has now confirmed it will be informing Yeovil residents in the autumn about which routes will be created or enhanced – with any improvements being implemented by mid-2024.
The LCWIP, which was published by Somerset County Council[8] in October 2021, identifies a number of short-term improvements to Yeovil’s active travel networks which could be achieved in the next 12 months.
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The following stretches were identified for short-term improvement in October 2021, with funding already being partly or fully in place:
Proposed new and enhanced cycling routes across Yeovil (Image: WSP)
Neither the Brimsmore nor the Lufton projects form part of the Yeovil Refresh, since they do not fall within the town centre. The Yeovil Refresh scheme on Westminster Street (and Wine Street) has already been completed, while work on High Street, Middle Street and The Borough is currently under way.
This leaves three possible sets projects, elements of which may be singled out for individual improvements:
- Upgrades to Hendford, South Street and Stars Lane
- Improvements between Middle Street and South Western Terrace
- Improvements to eastern Middle Street and Wyndham Street public realm
Yeovil Refresh upgrades on Middle Street in Yeovil town centre (Image: Daniel Mumby)
The council said it would be in a position to share details of the chosen schemes in the autumn. A spokesman said: “We are currently working on the design and development of a number of active travel schemes, across several routes, all of which are in line with the LCWIP.
“None of these schemes are funded by the future high streets fund. Implementation will take place towards the end of 2023 and into early-2024.” For more details on the Yeovil Refresh, visit www.somerset.gov.uk/business-economy-and-licences/yeovil-refresh .
References
- ^ Somerset Council (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ the £24m Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Yeovil (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ cycling (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ the ongoing e-scooter trial (which runs until May 2024) (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ the Yeovil local cycling and walking infrastructure plan (LCWIP) (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Asbestos found in factory of major Somerset employer (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ Somerset County Council (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
- ^ here (bit.ly)