TRAFFIC congestion and hold-ups at the Longforth Road/High Street traffic lights in Wellington are among the complaints highlighted in a new travel survey.

Many respondents to the Transition Town Wellington (TTW) survey felt re-opening the town railway station would make a big difference to public transport.

Bus services also came in for criticism but support for better walking and cycling networks was voiced.

More than 250 people responded to the survey online and through employers in the town between February and April.

A third of respondents called for better traffic management in the town and/or the completion of the Northern Relief Road. Being delayed at the Longforth Road/High Street traffic lights was the single most common complaint.

Only five per cent of people said they relied on public transport as their main means of getting about.

Reasons given for not using public transport included the limited hours buses are available –not early enough in the morning for some going to work and not late enough for an evening out; no service available within a reasonable distance of home/destination – especially for those living in local villages; the high cost of fares; and the fact that bus services are thought to be unreliable.

Almost a quarter of respondents said a railway station in Wellington would make a big difference – some expressed disbelief the town does not have a direct rail link. In the absence of a local railway station calls were made for direct bus links to Tiverton Parkway or Taunton railway stations.

The survey found that 55 per cent of all respondents rely mostly – or solely – on their car for getting around and a further 23 per cent drive quite a lot. TTW said the survey indicated that many motorists use their car because no practical or affordable alternatives are available. The most common reason cited for travelling was to get to and from work.

A large number of regular journeys are made between the Wellington area and Devon, including Exeter, Cullompton and Tiverton. TTW said that because of very limited public transport connections from Somerset, people usually had to use a car to make these journeys.

The survey also showed support for better walking and cycling networks. More than 30 per cent of respondents said walking is their main way of getting around, with a further 25 per cent saying they would walk or cycle more if safe, designated cycle routes or footpaths were available. The A38 between Wellington and Taunton was most frequently cited as not being a safe cycle route.

Simon Ratsey, from TTW, said: “We believe the survey represents a meaningful sample of Wellington residents, and would like to thank all of those who took part.

“Some of the results were to be expected – as so many people feel they have no alternative but to drive, it is not surprising our roads are congested.

“What is perhaps surprising is the number of motorists who already walk or cycle as much as they can and would drive less if other options were available. We hope our local politicians will take note of our survey results – it’s clear action is needed”.

TTW is part of a local transport campaign group, the Campaign for Sustainable Transport in the Taunton Area (CaSTTA), which is pressing for improvements to transport and travel in the area. CasTTA has asked all those standing in the Somerset County Council elections on Thursday for their views on sustainable transport.

More information about the survey is available at ttw.org.uk/transport-campaign. To get involved in CaSTTA, email [email protected]