At Taunton Town Council this week (14 Jan) Councillors received an update on the research undertaken into the potential replacement of our beloved footbridge connecting Goodland Gardens to the north side of the River Tone. They were told that the most recent costings had come in significantly lower than initially expected ( £215,000 as opposed to nearer half a million!) and heard the feedback received from residents at both the public and online consultations held in the autumn of 2025. 80 per cent of those who took part in the town council’s consultation / engagement agreed that the bridge provided a popular, traffic free route and that a replacement would represent a valuable community asset.

There was robust discussion amongst councillors on whether the replacement was a priority for the Town Council or whether alternative routes already in place were adequate. Full Council resolved in principle to commission a replacement, subject to costings established by a tender exercise. The timeframe was discussed with an approximate project span of five months, with an aspiration that a new bridge would be in place in advance of the summer.

Councillor Caroline Ellis said “We must remember that the idea that we as a Town Council could replace this crucial footbridge came from our residents themselves. We heard this evening that it isn’t just people living in North Town and the town centre who value this route, it was used and is missed by people across the town, from students travelling to and from Bridgwater and Taunton College to vulnerable people wanting to reach French Weir Park and the Health Centre on a pleasant, car-free route.

As well as benefitting our residents, a footbridge in that location boosts tourism and the town economy – encouraging people to discover gems like the Shed café, the riverside and beautiful green spaces along it as well as our historic centre.

I’m delighted that we as a Town Council have taken this step to secure this bridge for many generations to come, and I look forward to seeing it installed!”

You can listen to what people said on Taunton Town Council You Tube channel - have to say it will be supremely irritating in places! I aged a good few years on that night! In the end the vote was 8 FOR and 5 Against. 

https://www.youtube.com/live/oqXkwMKGXqM?si=QhqeIEryr9dhkC9c

It’s starts at 2hrs 21 minutes in.

Don’t think we are home and dry yet - we need to be vigilant and keep shouting about benefits of replacement . I will wait to celebrate as and when actual bridge is installed. 

Please keep explaining why this bridge is so vital as some just don’t get it or forget!!!! 
huge thanks to all of you - we may be nearly there, I’ve everything crossed x k