A CONSULTATION has ended on plans aimed at ensuring Bridgwater's transport infrastructure copes with the town's massive predicted growth.

A strategy put together by Somerset County Council has been looking at travel needs in Bridgwater, Taunton and Wellington up until 2026.

An estimated 7,700 new homes and 7,500 new jobs are planned through regeneration in the Bridgwater area, along with new schools and major building projects.

The strategy has looked at how transport links will have to change to cope with this growth.

Some of the changes it has considered include:

A North Petherton bypass.

A new road between Bristol Road and Taunton Road, running next to the M5 and incorporating Dunwear Lane and Bower Lane.

Park-and-ride bus sites to the south of Bridgwater.

New and improved walking and cycle routes.

Enhanced bus services.

The strategy - which links in with the Bridgwater Challenge - was scrutinised by Sedgemoor District Council and two public events were held at the town hall during the consultation period.

District councillors discussed the strategy at a special scrutiny meeting last week, where they stressed any future transport plans would need to consider the impact of two new proposed reactors at Hinkley Point.

A rewritten strategy will be released early in the new year, which will take into consideration new housing figures and feedback from the consultation.