Since 1971 the Goodland  Gardens footbridge across the River Tone at the heart of our county town has been a well-used route for Taunton residents of all ages seeking easy access to riverside well-being walks and pleasant, direct, safe, traffic free routes to key services and amenities. It connects Goodland Gardens to French Weir and Longrun and is part of the Foxglove Trail and other popular circular walking/cycling routes and trails.

The closure of the bridge by Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT)  on November 30, 2022 came as a result of a safety inspection with a further detailed inspection revealing significant structural weakness within the rotting bridge joists such that repair was now unviable. This could have been predicted and prevented as previous recommended repairs may not have been fully carried out. Nonetheless the bridge would not have had a much longer lifespan and you would think money would have been set aside to replace this key asset. Apparently not.

SWT said options for the bridge’s future would be discussed with councillors. However before that could happen, local government reorganisation occurred and this key asset transferred to Somerset Council who say they intend to remove the bridge and have no plans to replace it citing the cost. ( note they have said they will find the money to demolish and remove it). The new Taunton Town Council which owns and looks after Goodland Gardens now and has a remit to work to improve life for residents and be a voice for Taunton has not been consulted or involved in any decision. 

We say that Somerset Council cannot afford not to replace the bridge. This bridge is essential for residents’ well-being, social inclusion, active travel, independent mobility , safe access to education settings and for the future of our town since so much business, tourism and inward investment depends on it. 

With the bridge out of action, residents and visitors now have to take a longer route round taking in busy A roads to access Goodland Gardens from North Town or conversely to get across town and through to school/college/the railway station from the other direction. (If heading into town from French weir along the river it is possible if rather perilous to scramble up a steep slope up to Tangier way and access Goodland Gardens via the slope by the scout building - if you don’t have a mobility impairment and are very fit, that is). Some have no other option but to take the car to get to where they need to go. A key cycle trail has had to be re-routed and children’s walking trails focused on wildlife by the Tone no longer make any sense nor are they safe as the circular route involving the bridge has gone. 

All sections of our community are negatively impacted by this - the many older and disabled people who could quickly and safely get across the river before to access services or just to seek some relaxation in the haven of Goodland Gardens, the children and young people seeking a safe route to school or college, the Shed cafe in the Gardens which has lost trade, the people needing to get across town for work. Goodland Gardens is a green and blue oasis in the heart of town - easy access to it matters. 

The Garden Town vision speaks of ‘ an improved interconnected network of green spaces and liveable, walkable neighbourhoods which encourage walking and cycling ‘- the iconic cambered bridge is vital to this vision, vital to our quality of life, to active travel and to the achievement of sustainable town centre development. There will be no car free route between two of our key parks if this bridge is not replaced and there will be a hole at the heart of the Garden Town vision. 

The footpath along the river past Riverain Lodge to Bridge Street is also out of commission ( it’s not owned by either council) making the situation doubly worse. 

We say that this is bridge matters!

Sign this petition to urge Somerset Council to work proactively and positively in partnership with Taunton Town Council, local businesses and residents to put together a viable funding package and commission a new bridge at this location asap.