travel information
Your Guide to Transport Options from Moorland Gate
Welcome
Welcome to your new home at Moorland Gate, in the village of Bishops Lydeard. 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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Moorland Gate is located to the north-west of Taunton, within walking distance of local primary schools, shops, pubs, a doctors surgery and pharmacy.
The wider facilities and employment areas of Taunton are within easy reach of Bishops Lydeard, approximately 7.5km south-east of Moorland Gate. Taunton Town Centre is easily accessible from the site by local bus services or a 30 minute cycle.
The Travel Information Pack is one of many measures included in the Travel Plan produced for the Moorland Gate 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 village of Bishops Lydeard 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 primary schools, shops, pubs, a doctors surgery and pharmacy.
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The development of Moorland Gate has provided new footways, crossings and traffic calming measures to safetly accommodate pedestrian movements around the area and connecting to local facilities.
Most of the roads in the area around Moorland Gate have pavements and street lighting, which allows you to easily and safely walk to the local centre, pubs, schools, bus stops and large-scale employment.
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You can walk to a variety of services in Bishops Lydeard within a 15 minute period. Local bus stops are located within a 5 minute walk on Hither Mead. These stops provide links to the centre of Taunton, Minehead and Bridgwater.
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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:
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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.
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Walking is a completely environmentally friendly activity.
Local amenities
Moorland Gate is sustainably located within comfortable walking and cycling distances to local schools, shops, key local facilities and bus stops.
Schools
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Bishops Lydeard Pre-School
850 m / 10 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Bishops Lydeard Church School (Primary)
1.1km / 14 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Local Amenities
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Hither Mead Bus Stops
240 m / 3 min Walk / 1 min Cycle
Post Office, Bishops Lydeard
600 m / 8 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
The Lethbridge Arms, Public House
650 m / 8 min Walk / 2 min Cycle
Priory Close, Veterinarian
700 m / 9 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Bishops Lydeard Village Hall
700 m / 9 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Quantock Vale Surgery and Pharmacy
800 m / 10 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Quantock Brewery
900 m / 11 Walk / 3 min Cycle
Bird in Hand, Public House
900 m / 11 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
The Co-operative Food, Bishops Lydeard
1.2km / 15 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
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Leisure and Green Space
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Playground, Bishops Lydeard, Village Centre
750 m / 9 min Walk / 3 min Cycle
Bishops Lydeard Station Play Area
1.2km / 15 min Walk / 4 min Cycle
Taunton Station
6.8km / 85 min Walk / 26 min Cycle
Cycling
The village of Bishops Lydeard and surrounding area, including the Quantock Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are beautiful places to ride your bicycle with a wide variety of scenery, designated traffic-free routes and historic buildings.
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Cycle access to the employment opportunities in Taunton is available via the A358. Towards the town centre, Taunton accommodates an increased level of cycle infrastructure offering traffic-free routes, crossings, advanced stop lines and dedicated lanes.
National Cycle Route 3 provides a mostly traffic-free route through the Taunton area using the canal towpaths, accessible with a 30 minute cycle from Moorland Gate.
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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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www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/active-travel/
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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!
Your local bicycle shops are:
Bicycle Chain, Chip Lane, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, TA1 1BZ
Open: 9am-5:30pm, Monday to Saturday
Tel: 01823 252499
Website: https://bicyclechain.co.uk/
On Your Bike, Station Approach, The Coach House, Taunton, TA1 1QW
Open: 8:30am-5:30pm, Tuesday - Wednesday, 8:30am-3pm on Fridays, 1:30pm-5:30pm on Thursdays and 10am-3pm on Saturdays
Tel: 01823 259035
Website: www.on-your-bike.co.uk
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 Moorland Gate 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 Moorland Gate are located on Hither Mead, with all areas of Moorland Gate accessible within 400 metres of the stops (5 minute walk).
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The stops are served by a number of bus routes, which are summarised over page.
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To check real time journey information, visit:
www.firstgroup.com/somerset/plan-journey/next-bus
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Rail
Taunton Rail Station is located approximately 6.8km south-west of Moorland Gate and is easily accessible via a 25 minute bike ride or via the Number 28 bus service.
The station benefits from two services per hour to Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth and London Paddington, with increased services at peak times. Hourly services are available to Cardiff.
A service to Birmingham and Penzance is available approximately every two hours, via Exeter, Newton Abbot, Plymouth, St Austell and Truro.
Taunton Rail Station provides cycle parking for 82 bicycles, and also offers car parking for approximately 402 vehicles with accessible spaces, with a daily rate of £7.60.
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:
28
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​The 28 provides a half hourly service from Taunton Bus Station to Minehead via Bishops Lydeard, Williton and Watchet, Monday to Saturdays.
613​
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The 613 addtionally provides one peak hour service per day from Bishops Lydeard to Bridgwater College via Cotford St Luke and Taunton, Monday to Friday.
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.
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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For more information on local car share schemes visit:
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Benefits of Car Sharing
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Reduces travel costs;
A commuter who car shares with one person typically
saves around £1,000 a year.​
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Reduces wear and tear on your own vehicle;
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Helps reduce congestion;
If half of UK motorists car shared one day a week,
pollution would be reduced by 10% and traffic jams by 20%.​
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Expands social networks; and
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Reduces stress levels related to driving.
Efficient Driving
Where driving is unavoidable the following please consider the following tips:
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The most fuel-efficient driving speed, where permitted, is in the highest gear at approximately 50mph – this can cut your fuel bill by about 30%;
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You can further reduce your fuel bill through adopting a smoother driving style, avoiding sudden braking or acceleration; and
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Keep your car well maintained including keeping your tyre pressures to the appropriate level (these can be found in your vehicle handbook), check the air filters and get your vehicle regularly serviced.
HOME DELIVERIES
A wide range of major supermarkets offer home delivery services to the Bishops Lydeard area, so why not save time, money and petrol and have your groceries delivered?
Asda
Asda Taunton Supercentre is the nearest store to Moorland Gate on Creechbarrow Road, Taunton and is open 6am - Midnight, Monday to Friday, 6am-9pm on Saturdays, and 10am-4pm on Sundays. A home delivery service is available.
Creechbarrow Road, Taunton, TA1 2AN
https://groceries.asda.com
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Morrisons
Your nearest Morrisons supermarket is in Taunton and is open 7am-10pm, Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm on Sundays. A home delivery and click and collect service is available.
Priory Bridge Road, Taunton, TA1 1DX
https://groceries.morrisons.com
Ocado
An online only supermarket offering a wide range of fresh groceries, essentials, toys and more delivered to your door.
www.ocado.com
Sainsbury’s
Your nearest store is on Billet Street, Taunton and is open 7am-8pm. A home delivery service is available.
Billet Street, Taunton, TA1 3NE
www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries
Tesco
The Tesco Taunton Superstore is the nearest store to Moorland Gate, open 6am - Midnight. Home delivery is also available.
Castle Street, Taunton, TA1 4AB
www.tesco.com/groceries
Waitrose
The closest store is in Wellington and is open 8am - 8pm. A home delivery service is also available.
34 - 46 High Street, Wellington, TA21 8RD
www.waitrose.com
Did you know?
​Car travel for food shopping accounts for about 40% of all UK shopping trips by car, or about 5% of all car use in the UK!
HOME WORKING
Reducing the need to travel to work or while at work can save time and money while benefiting the environment.
If you work from home just once a fortnight you are reducing your commute by 10%, which saves you both time and money.
Studies have shown that people who work from home have lower carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, use less petrol / diesel, use less paper, use less plastic and have a better work life balance, so why not give it a go? You may even find you are more productive as you're not being interrupted.
Remote and flexible working allows you to balance your work and home life commitments and leave you feeling great!
Useful info
The Travel Plan Coordinator is available to provide you with assistance in relation to the way you travel and offer further information about sustainable transport methods available to you. You can contact the Travel Plan Coordinator using the following:
The Travel Plan Coordinator
Tetra Tech
90 Victoria Street
Bristol
BS1 6DP
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Telephone: 0117 925 4393
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Email: TravelPlanCoordinator@tetratech.com
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For information about car sharing visit:
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For bus timetables and public transport information visit:
www.firstgroup.com/somerset/plan-journey/next-bus
www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-and-transport
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For help planning your journey visit:
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For rail enquires visit:
https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/ldbboard/dep/TAU
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For information on cycling visit:
www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/active-travel/
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​For information on walking visit:
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Your local bicycle shop is located:
Bicycle Chain, Chip Lane, Staplegrove Road, Taunton, TA1 1BZ
Tel: 01823 252499
Website: https://bicyclechain.co.uk/
On Your Bike, Station Approach, The Coach House, Taunton, TA1 1QW
Tel: 01823 259035
Website: www.on-your-bike.co.uk