THE FUTURE of Taunton’s park and ride service remains in the balance as talks continue between two local authorities and the commercial operator.

Somerset County Council originally intended to shut the service from the Gateway and Silk Mills sites as part of a programme of cuts approved in September to save £15M by 2020.

The service was given a 12-month reprieve when the then-Taunton Deane Borough Council agreed to provide a further year’s funding, with a view to a commercially viable service being provided from September 2019 onwards.

With only four months to go, these negotiations have not yet been resolved – despite thousands of people still using the service every week.

A freedom of information request to the county council has revealed the number of people using the services from Gateway and Silk Mills has risen slightly compared to last year.

Between January 14 and March 10, 2018, a total of 53,383 tickets or passes were issued – an average of 6,673 per week.

In the same time period in 2019, the number of passes or tickets issued was 55,075, or 6,884 per week – a rise of just under two per cent.

Councillor Ross Henley – who was elected to the new Somerset West and Taunton Council in early May – said price rises at both sides could put people off using the service.

He tweeted to county council leader David Fothergill on Wednesday (May 15): “I’m getting lots of complaints from residents about increased charges at park and ride sites in Taunton.

“It’s a price-sensitive business. If prices rocket, less people will use them.”

Mr Fothergill replied: “Since September the park and rides are operated by Somerset West and Taunton Council, where you are now in control.

“Over to you Ross.”

The two councils declined to state how high passenger numbers would have to rise for the service to be commercially viable, or whether a new park and ride site could still be developed – such as that promised as part of a development of 2,000 homes in Comeytrowe.

In a joint statement, the councils said: “Following the establishment of the new Somerset West and Taunton Council, we will continue to meet together with First to discuss the current performance of the park and ride and consider what steps are required to make the service sustainable for the future.”