Taunton must wait until next week to learn whether or not the Government will fund a new road across the town.

Chancellor George Osborne announced funding for a number of major road schemes across the country – including improvements to the M5 – but there was no mention of the Northern Inner Distributor Road, proposed between Staplegrove Road and Priory Avenue.

But Mr Osborne said: “Next week we are setting out more details – this is not a complete list.”

The road is seen as crucial to support the Firepool development, which is part of the Project Taunton regeneration initiative.