PEOPLE in the Rowbarton area of Taunton will be able to cross a ‘short cut’ bridge to get into town again.

A new footbridge over the railway line at Chip Lane opens to pedestrians tomorrow (Wednesday, July 16), replacing the 40 Steps bridge which was dismantled last November.

The finishing touches to a ramped access suitable for wheelchair users, cyclists and pushchairs are expected to be complete by September.

Cllr Harvey Siggs, Somerset County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “I am really pleased to see the footbridge at Chip Lane opening for pedestrian use.

“Not only is this brilliant for local people to have better access to the town centre restored but it also represents a step forward for the Northern Inner Distributor Road (NIDR) scheme.”

The NIDR is a £22million project providing a link from Priory Avenue to Staplegrove Road, easing congestion in the town centre and opening up access to the Firepool development site, creating jobs and new homes.