West Somerset could soon enjoy easier bus links to Musgrove Park Hospital
West Somerset bus routes 25 and 28 could soon stop in Taunton town centre, improving access to Musgrove Park Hospital through easier park-and-ride connections
Patients in west Somerset could soon find to easier to reach Musgrove Park Hospital by bus following pressure from campaigners.
FirstBus operates two key routes between Taunton and west Somerset: the 25 (which runs from Dulverton via Bampton, Wiveliscombe, Milverton and Cotford St. Luke) and the 28 (which runs from Minehead via Dunster, Washford, Watchet, Williton, Bishop’s Lydeard and Cotford St. Luke).
The Somerset Bus Partnership has been pushing for these services to call at the Market House stop in Taunton town centre, allowing passengers to change for the park and ride service to the town’s acute hospital.
Somerset Council has said it supports this change and is working with FirstBus to solve “technical issues” surrounding this improvement.
Rosa Kell from the Somerset Bus Partnership brought the issue before the council’s executive committee when it met in Taunton on April 1.
She said: “Through our local community networks (LCNs), access to the hospital continues to be raised as a significant concern, particularly for those without access to a car.
“There is, however, a simple and deliverable opportunity to make an immediate improvement.
“By enabling west Somerset bus services – particularly routes 28 and 25 – to call at the Parade stop adjacent to the Market House, passengers would be able to make a straightforward, same-location interchange to the park and ride services serving Musgrove Park Hospital, from the opposite side of the same building.
“This represents a low-cost, high-impact solution that would benefit patients, staff and visitors alike, removing a key barrier to accessing healthcare.
“I understand that the current barrier relates to updating on-board systems for next stop announcements and timetable data to ensure clarity for passengers and drivers.
“This is an operational issue rather than a physical constraint and should be capable of being resolved quickly.”
Construction is currently proceeding on Taunton’s £3.2m transport hub on Tower Street, which will enter operation before Christmas and allow greater integration between different bus services.
Ms Kell continued: “I would ask that the executive supports this proposal in principle, that the council works with operators to urgently resolve the system updates required, and that a clear commitment is made to implement this additional stop for routes 28 and 25 by the end of April 2026.
“This is a straightforward intervention that can deliver immediate benefit to public transport users and improve access to one of Somerset’s most important healthcare facilities. I would welcome your support in progressing this at pace.”
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, responded: “We support the addition of this bus stop on routes 25 and 28.
“We understand from the operator that there are some technical issues they wish to address before this can be implemented, but we are working with the operator to try and expedite this change as soon as possible.
“I am taking a personal interest in us moving this forward as quickly as possible.”
A further update on these two routes may be provided to the council’s bus advisory board at its next meeting on April 28.