YOU can find out more about proposals to make Taunton town centre more people-friendly with traffic banned from three streets.

A public consultation will unveil details of the scheme, which could go live for an 18-month trial in the autumn and then become permanent by 2019.

It will see: *East Street closed to all traffic apart from buses and cyclists.

*Hammet Street closed to vehicles during the day, providing a zone for pedestrians and cyclists.

*St James Street between North Street and Lower Middle Street pedestrianised.

Rush hour traffic in areas such as North Street, Fore Street and St James Street are expected to drop by up to 86 per cent, although there is likely to be an increase in vehicles in Tangier Way, Upper High Street, Station Road and Priory Bridge Road.

Taunton Deane Borough Council is presenting its suggestions and seeking people’s views during a three-week exhibition at Taunton Library starting next week.

A council spokeswoman said the aim is to create a thriving town centre environment that is more attractive and inviting for pedestrians and cyclists, less polluted and noisy and better for businesses.

It follows Taunton’s New Year designation as one of a wave of new garden towns and is a key part of its growth programme.

The council and its appointed transport and urban design specialists WSP|Parsons Brinckerhoff have met businesses owners and shop managers that could be directly affected by the changes.

Cllr Roger Habgood, Deane House executive member for planning and transport, said: “When we met with the many businesses with an interest in the town centre at this pre-consultation session, we received some very useful feedback which was vital in shaping the proposals to be shown at the public exhibition.

“I would like to thank all who got involved and shared their thoughts with us – we all want to see Taunton thrive and realise its ambitions, especially now we are one of three new Garden Towns nationally.”

A public exhibition of the proposals is being held at Taunton Library, in Paul Street, during library opening hours from Tuesday, February 21, to Saturday, March 18.

It will include information on the proposed changes and a questionnaire to seek the public's views.

Council officers will be in the library to discuss the proposals on Thursday, February 23, from 11am to 3pm; Saturday, March 4, 10am to 2pm; Wednesday, March 8, 3pm to 7pm; and Friday, March 17, 11am to 3pm.

To view the questionnaire online, click here e-mail psip@tauntondeane.gov.uk or write to Taunton Town Centre PSIP, The Deane House, Belvedere Road, Taunton TA1 1HE.