New 30mph speed limit now in force near Taunton Crematorium

A 30mph speed limit is now in force for a key section of the A38 which runs past Taunton Crematorium.

The A38 carries a significant volume of daily traffic, serving as the main commuter route into Taunton for the residents of the new Orchard Grove estate, along with Wellington and the neighbouring villages.

The section of the road between the Orchard Grove roundabout and the Silk Mills roundabout (where the A38 meets the A3065 Silk Mills Road) was previously subject to a 40mph speed limit, with Somerset Council recently consulting on a further reduction to 30mph.

The council has confirmed that this new reduced speed limit is now in place, with signs being erected to notify motorists of the change.

Councillor John Hunt, independent councillor for Bishop’s Hull and Taunton West, confirmed the change on social media on Wednesday (October 28).

He said: “The previous 40mph limit on the A38 between the Orchard Grove roundabout and the roundabout at the junction of Silk Mills Road and the A38 Wellington Road, has now been reduced to 30mph.

“This is not (in my opinion) well signed; however, it is now in force.”

The affected section of road runs from the Orchard Grove roundabout (near the estate’s ‘park and bus’ facility’) along past the Stonegallows Inn and the neighbouring housing, past the entrance to Taunton Crematorium and ending at the roundabout near the town’s Screwfix store.

Mr Hunt shared correspondence on social media from the council’s highways department confirming that the new limit was in place.

A spokesperson said: “Work has been completed on the extension of the 30mph speed limit, the removal of 40mph signs and posts, and the supply and installation of new 30mph signs at various locations as per the agreed plan.”