Road closures as Taunton Marathon returns today

After two years, the event is back to offer both a 26-mile and 13-mile distance.

The races start from Bridgwater and Taunton College on Wellington Road at 10.30am this morning.

The route takes runners past Tesco and over the river to Bridge Street, out along Staplegrove Road to Norton Fitwarren and the B3227 to Hillcommon.

Then it’s across country through Oake and Bradford-on-Tone, turning off before the A38 to run through Hele and Upcott and up the sharp Shutewater Hill into Bishop's Hull.

The final stage is down over Netherclay and into Heron Drive, then it’s a sprint through the college grounds to the finish line for the 600 half marathon runners.

Here are the road closures expected during the event today:

• Traffic will be stopped in Wellington Road in both directions for about 15 minutes from 10.25am to allow the runners to leave the off-road start line at Bridgwater and Taunton College at 10.30am.
• As the pack passes along Tangier Way and Bridge Street vehicles will be held at the various junctions to let them all through.
• Once out towards Staplegrove runners will begin to spread out and traffic will be able to pass with care.
• Silk Mills Road will be closed to traffic from 10.30am to 3pm in both directions between Heron Drive and Bindon Road. This will allow the runners to come safely out of Netherclay Lane and get across Silk Mills Road. The road is open at the Bishop's Hull end for two-way traffic to Heron Drive, with access to St Margaret’s Hospice and Abbeyfield. Diverted traffic will travel through the town centre or Tangier Way. Access to Avery Nursery is from the Heron Drive end and to Aspire Fitness and Superstar Studios from the Bindon Road end.
• The bridge at Bradford-on-Tone is a pinchpoint, with traffic being seriously affected as runners tackle the single lane structure. This year the bridge will be closed between 11am and 1pm to all traffic. The diversion is via Nynehead.

All other roads will be open during the event.