Work on Taunton's Castle Green town square to start
Work on a £3m scheme to transform a car park in Taunton into a town centre square is to get under way.
The first phase will see the area around Castle Green, near the new Somerset Museum, made pedestrian only.
The leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council John Williams said he was aware there was some opposition to the closure of the car park.
He added the parking loss was to be "regretted" but the move would see the area become a "historic heart".
'Major step forward'
"We have had many, many messages of support from both the private and public sector," he said.
"[It will be] a great complementary space to the wonderful Somerset Museum which reopened recently."
The work is due to take about eight months to complete with funds coming from a central government town centre regeneration scheme.
Max Hebditch, who chairs Taunton Cultural Consortium, said: "This is a major step forward for Taunton - an investment of long-term value.
"In the centre of the historic Taunton Castle, Castle Green will become the public square and green space needed at the heart of the town.
"It will at last provide a fitting setting for the historic buildings which surround the green."