Taunton Launches Bus Priority Signal Trial
Somerset Council trials bus priority traffic signals on eastern routes into Taunton
Taunton Starts Bus Priority Trial on East Routes
Buses traveling through Taunton's town centre will soon get priority at traffic signals as Somerset Council launches a trial of its 'greenwaves east' system. The trial covers the eastern approach including A38 East Reach and A3027 East Street, where upgraded traffic lights were completed between April and May 2025. Councillor Richard Wilkins confirmed that data from bus operators is currently being analyzed to inform the trial's implementation.
Part of Broader Service Improvement Plan
The initiative is part of Somerset Council's bus service improvement plan aimed at speeding up bus journey times and encouraging more people to use public transport. The plan includes creating 'greenwaves' on key routes into the town from the west, north, and east, giving buses priority through upgrades to existing traffic signal networks. Transit agencies across the UK have increasingly adopted signal priority systems to make bus service more competitive with private vehicles. The approach typically reduces delays at intersections by detecting approaching buses and extending green lights or shortening red phases.
Three Greenwave Corridors Planned
The trial focuses on three main corridors into Taunton's town centre. 'Greenwaves east' covers A38 East Reach and A3027 East Street, where signal upgrades have already been completed. 'Greenwaves west' will cover the A38 Wellington Road area, while 'greenwaves north' will include the A3038 Station Road and surrounding junctions. The council has committed £550,000 for further signal improvements starting from April 2027, though specific locations haven't yet been identified.
Implementation Timeline and Funding
The eastern corridor trial will begin imminently following completion of traffic light upgrades between April and May 2025. Officials are currently analyzing data from bus operators to fine-tune the system before activation. The £550,000 committed for additional signal improvements will fund expansion to the western and northern corridors starting in April 2027, though the council hasn't specified which junctions will receive upgrades first.
Concerns Raised About Stakeholder Input
The Somerset Bus Partnership has raised concerns about the lack of specific junction identification and stakeholder engagement in the planning process. The trial's outcome will inform the development of further bus priority schemes across the county, officials said. Riders can track how the signal priority affects their routes through real-time updates. Moovit provides live bus tracking and journey planning for Taunton services, helping riders see actual travel times as the greenwave system takes effect.
