travel information
Your Guide to Transport Options from Northwalls Grange
Welcome
Welcome to your new home at Northwalls Grange, in the county town of Taunton. We hope you have many years of enjoyable living here.
This site is designed to assist in making your move as easy as possible. It provides information on how to get around using public transport and other environmentally friendly methods to commute to work and school or explore the area.
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Northwalls Grange on the north-eastern side of Taunton, within walking distance of local primary and secondary schools, colleges, shops, pubs and large-scale employment.
The wider facilities and employment areas of Taunton is only a short cycle away, approximately 3.2 kilometres to the south-west of Northwalls Grange.
The Travel Information Pack is one of many measures included in the Travel Plan produced for the Northwalls Grange development and agreed with Somerset County Council.
The Travel Plan is a document which contains a package of measures to encourage you to try more sustainable alternatives to single-occupancy car use.
The Travel Plan can offer real benefits not only to you, but also to the community that surrounds you. It can help to relieve local parking and congestion problems and improve public transport connections across the area.
WALKING
Walking is one of the cheapest, easiest and simplest forms of transport, something which is boosted by the wider Taunton area benefiting from good walking facilities.
Most of the roads in the area have pavements and street lighting, which allows you to easily and safely walk to the local centre, pubs, schools and colleges, bus stops and large-scale employment.
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Throughout the Northwalls Grange development, direct and attractive footways are provided connecting to the local facilities.
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The footways within the development also benefit from being well-maintained and street-lit to a modern standard.
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You can walk to several services within a 15 minute period. Local bus stops are located within a 5 minute walk on Nerrols Drive. These stops provide links to the centre of Taunton and Monkton Heathfield.
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The Green Travel Voucher includes a number of items which may assist you with walking more as part of your day to day life. This includes raincoats, shoes and rucksacks.
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For more information on walking in Somerset, there is a wealth of information on promoted routes, health and fitness benefits and safety tips at the Somerset County Council website, visit:
https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/walks-and-trails-in-somerset/
Benefits of walking:
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Walking is a great form of exercise and can reduce the risk of heart disease;
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Walking is an important form of sustainable transport which costs nothing and offers a wide range of benefits to you and the community; and,
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Walking is a completely environmentally friendly activity.
Local amenities
Northwalls Grange is sustainably located within comfortable walking and cycling distances to local schools, shops, key local facilities and bus stops. A number of these are illustrated on the map.
Schools
Lyngford Park Primary School
850 m / 10 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Heathfield Community School
1,400 m / 18 min Walk / 5 min Cycle
The SPACE Sixth Form College
1,600 m / 20 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
Local Amenities
Crown Medical Centre
400 m / 5 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Co-op Food, Priorswood Place
1,300 m / 16 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Aldi Supermarket
1,900 m / 23 min Walk / 6 min Cycle
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Asda Taunton Supercentre
2,500 m / 31 min Walk / 8 min Cycle
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Brewers Fayre O'Bridge
1,200 m / 15 Walk / 4 min Cycle
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Nerrols Drive Bus Stops
210 m / 3 min Walk / 1 min Cycle
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Summerleaze Crescent Bus Stop
450 m / 5 min Walk / 1 min Cycle
Taunton Rail Station
2,300 m / 29 min Walk / 9 min Cycle
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Leisure and Green Space
Lyngford Park, Garden and Playground
1,200 m / 15 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Wellsprings Leisure Centre
2,200 m / 28 min Walk / 8 min Cycle
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Taunton Town Centre
3,300 m / 41 min Walk / 11 min Cycle
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Cycling
The Taunton town and surrounding area is a beautiful place to ride your bicycle with a wide variety of scenery, designated traffic-free routes and historic buildings. The area is favourable for cycle travel as it is reasonably flat throughout.
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You can cycle to all the facilities in the Taunton town area within a 20 minutes cycle, and access the National Cycle Route 3 and 33. National Cycle Route 3 is accommodated as a canal towpath towards Taunton town centre, providing a picturesque traffic-free link.
National Cycle Route 3 is a long distance route from Bristol to Land's End via Wells, Taunton, Barnstaple, Bude and St. Austell.
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Similarly, National Cycle Route 33 connects to Route 3 approximately 3.7 kilometres routes south-east of the site and connects Bristol with Seaton, via Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare, Bridgwater and Chard.
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Explore your local community by bike!
We’re encouraging families to get more out of life – by getting on your bike and exploring the local community – either for an outing at the weekend, or a trip to the local shops, part of the school run, or daily commute. Don’t forget that your Green Travel Voucher is valid for a range of cycle equipment.
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For more information on cycling in Somerset, there is a wealth of detail on promoted routes, health benefits and safety tips at the Travel Somerset website, visit:
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https://www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/walking-and-cycling-maps/
Benefits of Cycling:
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Cycling is sociable – it provides a fantastic way to share some time with friends and family.
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Cycling improves health and fitness - regular cycling also halves the risk of heart attacks and helps reduce risk factors like high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.
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Cycling is ‘green’ – you can feel good about doing your bit for the environment.
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Cycling is quick – for short journeys under 5 miles cycling is usually the fastest way to get around – and you won’t get stuck in traffic.
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Cycling is cheap – no bus, train or season tickets required.
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Cycling is convenient – it gets you ‘door-to-door’, with a guaranteed arrival time.
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Cycling during rush hour is about twice as fast as a car!
Did you know that...
People who cycle regularly enjoy a fitness level equal to that of a person 10 years younger - so you’ll look and feel even better!
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Your local bicycle shop is:
GO Outdoors
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 2BB
0344 387 6848
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Why Public Transport?
Public transport can be quicker, cheaper and more convenient than using your car and provides a significant environmental benefit. Using public transport can remove the stress of finding a car parking space, sitting in traffic and the costs of owning a car. Furthermore, you can travel to your destination while you relax with a newspaper or catch-up on social media.
To encourage residents of Northwalls Grange to use public transport, the Green Travel Voucher is valid on bus and rail season tickets. All you need to do is fill in the claim form and return it to your Travel Plan Coordinator. For terms and conditions, please see the claim form.
Where are my nearest bus stops?
The nearest stops to Northwalls Grange are located on Nerrols Drive and Summerleaze Crescent, each approximately 400 metres (5 minute walk) from the site and are served by a number of bus routes.
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All regular services from the Nerrols Drive and Summerleaze Crescent bus stops are summarised over page.
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To check real time journey information, visit:
journeyplanner.travelwest.info/rti
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Rail
Taunton Rail Station is located approximately 2.3 kilometres south-west of Northwalls Grange and is easily accessible via an 8 minute bike ride or via the 12 / 21A buses and a short walk.
Taunton Rail Station benefits from services two services per hour to Bristol, Plymouth and Exeter.
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Services to London Paddington and Cardiff operate hourly from Taunton, with two services per hour to London during peak times. Hourly services are also available to Newcastle via Bristol, Birmingham, York and Sheffield.
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A service to Manchester Piccadilly is available approximately every two hours, via Bristol and Birmingham.
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Taunton Rail Station provides car parking for approximately 406 vehicles with a daily rate of £6.30. The station provides Sheffield cycle stands with space for 82 cycles.
The station also offers a ticket office and ticket machines, as well as step free access coverage.
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To check real time rail journey information from each station, visit:
12
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The 12 provides an hourly circular service from Castle Way in Taunton via Monkton Heathfield, Monday to Saturday.
21A
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The 21A provides an hourly service from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton to Burnham-on-Sea via Monkton Heathfield and Highbridge, Monday to Saturday.
CAR SHARING
Travelling with other people by car is an easy way to cut your CO2 emissions and save money. By splitting costs with your fellow passengers you will save on fuel and parking fees.
Use your time as a passenger to read or catch up on work, and of course you won’t have to find a parking space.
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Benefits of car sharing:
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Reduces travel costs
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Reduces wear and tear on your own vehicle
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Helps reduce congestion
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Expands social networks
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Reduces stress levels related to driving
Some Safety Tips if Meeting a New Car Share Buddy
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Avoid exchanging your full name or address before you’ve met someone.
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You’re never under obligation to take a lift. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go through with the lift – even if it’s been agreed.
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As with any activity that involves meeting new people, it’s advisable to meet in a public place the first time. It’s always a good idea to let friends and family know your plans, too.