A 'HOTSPOT' of dangerous conditions for cyclists has been tackled with new road layouts.

Thirteen cyclists have been injured across the last five years at the junction to Taunton Railway Station on Station Road.

The road had been identified as a problem area by cycling group Taunton Area Cycling Campaign (TACC), which has worked to bring the issues to Somerset County Council.

The majority of injuries at the junction were caused by vehicles turning in front of cyclists and by passengers getting out of vehicles and stepping into the path of cyclists.

In response, SCC has carried out work in the area to make it safer.

Changes include a wider cycle lane, box junction markings, and a warning sign to help drivers be aware of cyclists.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said: “We are pleased that these works have been completed – projects like this are part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to making every journey within the county a safe one.

“But that cannot be achieved by engineering alone we also need all road users to do their part by looking out for one another and remembering to share the road.”

As well as working with TACC, the council's road safety team has also been consulting with Avon and Somerset Police.

Mike Ginger from TACC said: “Station Road is one of the 15 'hot spots' identified in a survey carried out by TACC in 2016 survey and it is pleasing to see some work being carried out.

“We will continue to work with the county council to seek further improvements along the road, including raising the concerns we are aware of with close overtaking of cyclists by motor vehicles.

"We hope that our work with the road safety team and the police will help to get the 'safe pass' message out to fellow road users, to help us all share the road safely.”