Choose a Way to Travel
You can download a Beginners' Guide to Travelling Differently [pdf, 1.25MB], print your bus, driving, walking and cycling information as a leaflet [available from 20th September], or choose a way to travel below.
The area to the West of Junction 25 of the M5 is located on the eastern outskirts of Taunton. It is within the built up area of the town, and has connections to neighbouring areas through local footway, cycling and public transport networks.
Choose a way to travel:
WALKING
"Walking sets me up for the day. A bit of calm 'me' time" (Quote from a local employee)
Footways from the area to the immediate surrounding residential areas are wide, lit and maintained. Foot/cycle bridges exist which connect the southern Blackbrook and Deane Gate area with the Hankridge, Heron Gate and Riverside areas to the north of the A358. It is around 1 mile or 20 minutes walk to the outskirts of town; we've provided specific directions for this Walk4Life route.
CYCLE TO WORK
The area has a lot of good cycling routes – many of these are separated from car traffic or on quiet back streets. We will soon be providing some information on cycle routes, but in the meantime you can download a general cycling map of Taunton. Many businesses have cycling parking for staff and visitors – some don’t! Always lock your bike, wherever you leave it.
Cycling is quicker than driving if you are coming from town.
CATCH THE BUS
Buses run every few minutes, with nearly 150 buses per day to Taunton Town Centre within 10 minutes' walk of the entrance to Blackbrook Business Park. Download a summary of services here [pdf, 102KB]. The current Taunton day ticket costs £3.40, and you can purchase a ticket (or a ticket for a single journey) on the bus. Stick your arm out when to see the bus coming to make sure it stops.
The most frequent service is the No. 4 to Taunton town centre, which leaves from the Laxton Road stop adjacent to Deane Gate Office Park.
The railway station is served by the No. 1A from the Blackbrook Way stop adjacent to Blackbrook Business Park.
- Text the stop code below to 84268 to get the times of the next three buses heading into town from the area. All services are run by First except the 15A which is operated by Webberbus.
1 Leaves half-hourly
30, 30A Leaves hourly - text sotajtjp for departures
15A Leaves hourly - text sotajwgj for departures
21, 21A Leaves half-hourly - text sotajtpw for departures
N.B. Weekday, daytime frequency information given. Use text or timetables (right) for service frequencies at other times.
Bus stops for Taunton town centre:
- Click on the colours and symbols on the map for more information. Scroll down and left on the map for one mile walking route from Blackbrook to the edge of town
View West of Junction 25 Transport Map in a larger map and to use Google's journey planning and StreetView functions
DRIVING
All trips to Blackbrook Business Park involve using Junction 25 of the M5 motorway. This puts excess strain on the motorway roundabout, and makes it more difficult for traffic to come off the motorway and for cars to get out of Blackbrook and Deane Gate Business Parks. Reducing traffic makes journeys quicker for all.
Many employees already travel together to get to work by car. You can look for someone to share lifts with on the internet, using Moving Forward’s http://www.carsharesomerset.com/. Before you set off from work you can also check http://www.trafficengland.com/ – plan ahead and don’t leave your office just to join the back of a queue.
View traffic conditions on the M5 using the Highways Agency's cameras.
MOTORCYCLING
Motorcycling is a quick and easy way to avoid congestion for those who prefer to travel independently.
TRAIN SERVICES
Taunton’s well-connected to long-distance train services to major cities – Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, and London. Download a summary of services here [pdf, 100KB].
It takes 15 minutes to cycle to the railway station from the business parks. There is cycle parking at the railway station on Platform 2, and there are a number of facilities including a café, newsagent, waiting rooms and ticket office. The bus service No. 1 to Blackbrook runs every 30 minutes from outside the ticket office, and takes 20 minutes. Taxis are usually waiting at the railway station, or can be booked through http://www.traintaxi.com/.
You can find out if your train from Taunton is running on time from National Rail Enquiries' live departure board.
WORKING FROM HOME
Ask your employer if you can work at home once a week or more often if your job allows. Using a laptop and a home office space means you can get to work just walking down your stairs.
PARK AND RIDE
Due to commercial and legal reasons, the Park & Ride service does not pick up or drop of at the business parks. However, parking is free at the Park and Ride site and walking from the car park at Henlade would take about 10 minutes.
LOCAL FACILITIES
A number of shops, services and leisure activities are provided within walking and cycling distance nearby. The local mobile coffee van is pictured left.
Click on this link to view a Google map of the local facilities in the West of Junction 25 area.
In this Section...
- Walk4Life route - One mile walk into town from Blackbrook Business Park
- Companies - What businesses are based at West of Junction 25?
