The Langport Bridge Project

The disruption scheduled for this summer is not for routine maintenance but is an essential and unavoidable safety project led by Network Rail and their contractor, Morgan Sindall. The works are required to guarantee the long-term structural integrity of the railway bridge that carries the Castle Cary to Taunton line over the A378, ensuring the safety of both rail passengers and road users below.

Structural Imperative

The bridge, reconstructed in 1971, is a "Western Box" (or "Llantarnum style") structure. This design has a known defect at the end of its cross girders which can lead to the formation of cracks under the stress of passing trains. Regular inspections by Network Rail have confirmed this risk, and critically, one of the bridge's 44 steel beams has already begun to crack. This makes the planned intervention time-sensitive and non-negotiable to prevent a potential structural failure.

Scope of Works

The project is a comprehensive overhaul designed to secure the bridge for decades to come. The work includes:

• Strengthening: New support beams will be added underneath the structure. This will redirect the weight of trains away from the older, vulnerable beams, preventing further fractures from developing.

• Refurbishment: The entire bridge will be grit-blasted to remove old paint and corrosion, cleaned, and fully repainted to protect the steelwork from the elements.

• Safety Enhancements: New anti-collision markings will be added to improve visibility for road users passing underneath.

• Masonry Repairs: Parts of the stonework at both ends of the bridge will be repaired.

Project Logistics

The main construction compound, which will house site offices, a canteen, and welfare facilities for the workforce, will be established at the rear of the former Travis Perkins site off North Street in Langport. To keep noise and light disturbance to a minimum for nearby residents, Network Rail will use super-silenced generators and directional lighting.

Network Rail and Langport Town Council held a public drop-in session on June 11, 2025, to outline these plans and answer questions from the community.

Schedule of Road Closures and Traffic Restrictions

The closure will run from the junction of Eastover, North Street, and Moor Close to the junction of Moor Close, The Avenue, and Somerton Road. A route for pedestrians will be maintained under the bridge during normal daytime hours throughout all phases of the work.

Chronological Breakdown

• Phase 1: Main Closure (24/7): The A378 at the railway bridge will be fully closed to all vehicle traffic from Monday, 4 August 2025 to Sunday, 31 August 2025. During this period, the core strengthening and repair work will be carried out non-stop, day and night, to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.

• Phase 2: Temporary Traffic Lights: From Monday, 1 September 2025 to Friday, 12 September 2025, the road will reopen. However, temporary three-way traffic lights will be in place to manage traffic flow while ancillary work continues. Residents should expect significant delays during this period, particularly at peak times.

• Phase 3: Weekend Closures (24/7): The A378 will be fully closed again for two consecutive weekends to allow for final works. These closures will be in effect on Saturday, 13 & Sunday, 14 September 2025, and Saturday, 20 & Sunday, 21 September 2025.

Official Diversion and Mitigation in Langport

A formal, clearly signposted diversion route will be in place for the duration of the full closures.

The Official Route

All traffic will be officially redirected via roads suitable for the increased volume and weight of vehicles. The route is: A378 – A358 – A38 – A361 – A372, and vice versa. Drivers are strongly encouraged to follow this designated route. The significant length of this diversion is a necessary consequence of using A-roads that can safely handle all types of traffic, including HGVs. However, it is this length that makes it probable that some drivers familiar with the area will seek shorter, unofficial routes through local villages.

Mitigation in Langport

To manage the inevitable congestion in Langport itself, particularly at known bottlenecks, a key mitigation measure will be implemented. A temporary no-parking zone will be introduced on The Hill, in the area of the historic Hanging Chapel. This restriction, running from opposite St Gilda’s Close to in front of The Old Rectory, is designed to prevent parked cars from narrowing this historic and constricted section of road, thereby helping to maintain traffic flow. According to latest One.Network data there will also be traffic lights at either side of the Hanging Chapel's tunnel to control the flow and ensure there are minimal stand offs through the tunnel.

"Rat-Running" Concerns

While Muchelney is not on the official diversion route, it is anticipated that the village will experience significant secondary effects from the closure. Both Network Rail and Somerset Council are aware that, based on past experiences with major road closures, a proportion of drivers will attempt to use local lanes as shortcuts.

This creates a number of specific risks for the community:

• Inappropriate Vehicle Use: The narrow, single-track lanes around Muchelney are fundamentally unsuitable for high volumes of traffic, and especially for larger commercial vehicles or HGVs whose drivers may be tempted to follow satellite navigation shortcuts.

• Safety Hazards: An increased number of vehicles, often travelling at inappropriate speeds, poses a direct threat to the safety of residents, pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, and children who use these lanes.

• Infrastructure Damage: The verges, historic stone walls, and the road surfaces themselves are vulnerable to damage from vehicles trying to pass one another in spaces that are too narrow.

• Gridlock and Access: Drivers unfamiliar with the etiquette of rural lanes can easily cause blockages and stand-offs, potentially trapping local residents and, most critically, obstructing access for emergency service vehicles.

While authorities have planned mitigation for the official route in Langport, no proactive physical measures (such as temporary "Access Only" signage or speed restrictions) have been announced for the unofficial routes through Muchelney. The strategy instead relies on the vigilance of the community. The responsibility for monitoring the situation and reporting incidents has effectively been placed with residents. 

Reporting Concerns

Reporting Dangerous & Anti-Social Driving

This category includes speeding, aggressive or dangerous overtaking, racing, drivers using mobile phones, or commercial vehicles and HGVs that are clearly too large for the lanes.

• Who to Contact: Avon and Somerset Police.

• How to Contact:

• In an emergency (risk to life is immediate): Dial 999.

• For non-emergency incidents, the preferred method is the online "Report anti-social driving" form on the police website.

• Alternatively, call the non-emergency number 101.

• What to Record: For a report to be effective, please try to note the vehicle's registration number, make, model, and colour. Also record the precise date, time, and location of the incident, with a description of the behaviour. Dashcam footage is extremely valuable if available.

Reporting Road Condition Issues & Obstructions

This category includes damage to verges, new potholes created by excess traffic, significant mud on the road making it hazardous, or a vehicle causing an obstruction.

• Who to Contact: Somerset Council Highways Department.

• How to Contact:

• For an urgent hazard that poses a risk to public safety (e.g., a completely blocked road, a large and deep pothole), call the 24/7 emergency number: 0300 123 2224.

• For non-urgent issues, use the "Report a problem on the road" online portal on the Somerset Council website. It has specific forms for different issues.

• What to Record: Provide a precise location using the road name and a nearby landmark or property address. A clear description of the problem and photos are very helpful.

Reporting Works-Related Disturbances

This category is for issues directly related to the main construction site in Langport, such as excessive noise or light pollution from the compound during unsociable hours.

• Who to Contact: Network Rail.

• How to Contact: Call the Network Rail 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41. This line is designated for handling safety concerns and complaints about infrastructure works.

Disruption to Public Transportation

Residents who rely on local bus services should anticipate changes during the main closure period.

Service 54 (Taunton – Yeovil)

The Service 54 route, operated by First Bus / Buses of Somerset, will be significantly affected by the Langport bridge closure from Monday, 4 August to Saturday, 30 August 2025.

During this period, the through service will be split into two separate sections: one operating from Taunton to Langport, and another from Yeovil to Langport. Passengers wishing to complete the full journey between Taunton and Yeovil will need to disembark on one side of the railway bridge and walk a short distance to transfer to the other bus.

• The bus from Taunton will terminate at Langport Eastover.

• The bus from Yeovil will terminate at Langport Somerton Road.

A 15-minute connection time has been incorporated into the temporary timetable to allow passengers to make this transfer on foot.

Service 16 (Huish Episcopi / Langport – Bridgwater)

The primary operator affected is Hatch Green Coaches. An "ADVANCE SERVICE UPDATE" has been issued specifically for Service 16 (Huish Episcopi / Langport – Bridgwater), which will be affected from Monday, 4 August to Saturday, 30 August 2025.

While the notice confirms a disruption, the specific details of the revised timetable or route diversion have not yet been published. Therefore, all passengers are strongly advised to take the following steps before travelling:

• Check the "Service Updates" section of the Hatch Green Coaches website for the latest information: hatchgreencoaches.co.uk.

• If necessary, contact the company directly by phone at 01823 480 338 or by email at info@hatchgreencoaches.com.

• Also monitor Somerset's "Think Travel" portal for wider transport news.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is the official diversion route so long? Why can't a shorter route be used? A: Official diversion routes must use roads of an equivalent or higher classification (i.e., A-roads to divert traffic from another A-road). This is to ensure the route can safely accommodate the full volume and range of traffic from the closed road, including large and heavy goods vehicles. Local lanes are not designed for this purpose and would be unsafe and quickly damaged.

Q2: Why does the work have to happen 24/7 during August? A: The structural work is complex and the road closure has a major impact. By working around the clock, the project team can complete the essential repairs in the shortest possible time, minimising the total duration of the disruption. The timing in August was chosen specifically to avoid conflicting with school term-time and the busy pre-Christmas period.

Q3: Will I still be able to walk or cycle under the bridge? A: Yes. Network Rail has confirmed that a safe route for pedestrians will be maintained under the bridge, however, this will only be during normal daytime hours. Access may not be available overnight.

Q4: What is being done to stop HGVs using Muchelney's lanes? A: The official diversion will be clearly signposted for all traffic, including HGVs. While no physical restrictions are planned for local lanes, Avon and Somerset Police are aware of the potential for misuse. Residents are the key to enforcement and are urged to report any inappropriate HGV use to the police via the 101 number or the online reporting form, providing a registration number, time and date observed whenever possible.

Q5: The Network Rail project website (networkrail.co.uk/langport) doesn't work. Where can I get updates? A: General updates can be found on the main Network Rail website and social media channels. The most reliable sources for direct concerns or immediate issues are the contact numbers listed in here. Somerset Council's roadworks map is the best source for live roadwork information.

Directory of Contacts

Network Rail (Project Lead)

• 24-Hour National Helpline (For worksite/safety issues): 03457 11 41 41

• General Enquiries Website: www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus

• Twitter (General Updates): @networkrail

Avon and Somerset Police (Driving & Traffic Offences)

• Emergency: 999

• Non-Emergency Phone: 101

• Online Reporting Portal: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report

Somerset Council (Road Conditions & Urgent Hazards)

• Urgent Out-of-Hours Hazard Line: 0300 123 2224

• Online Road Problem Reporting: www.somerset.gov.uk/roads-travel-and-parking/report-a-problem-on-the-road/

• Live Roadworks Map: Available via the council's "Roadworks and travel" pages.

Hatch Green Coaches (Bus Service 16)

• Phone: 01823 480 338

• Email: info@hatchgreencoaches.com

• Website Service Updates: hatchgreencoaches.co.uk/mobile/news.php

British Transport Police (Crime on Railway Property)

• Phone: 0800 40 50 40

• Text: 61016