Somerset bridges

Over five days this winter, the railway will be closed between Bristol and Taunton, to allow for essential repairs to bridges and improvements to drainage.

Project timeline

Preparatory work is underway for our four bridge repairs across Somerset. The bulk of the work will be completed over a solid five-day planned closure of the railway, running from Monday 3 February until the early hours of Saturday 8 February.

Follow up work continues until June.

What work is taking place?

Repairs are needed on four railway bridges in Somerset, ranging from fairly light touch refurbishments to more intensive renovations.

River Brue bridge requires full replacement of the deck, as well as steelwork and masonry repairs, waterproofing and drainage work, and then repainting. This will also involve removal and reinstatement of the track and stone over the bridge.

Middle Drove bridge also needs full replacement of the bridge span following demolition of the old one. New sections will be lifted into place by crane and masonry repairs will be carried out

Lympsham Bridge will receive steel work and masonry repairs and waterproofing. Work here will also involve moving cables.

Somerset Bridge needs strengthening and repair work.

Alongside the bridge works, we’ll also be improving track drainage, with full drainage system refurbishments at Uphill and Dunball, requiring installation of new pipe and inspection chambers (catch pits). In the Highbridge and Burnham area teams will be carrying out surveys and inspections using special fibre optic cameras and pressurised water jetting to clear and test the flow through existing pipes under the track.

While we have the line closed we will so be carrying out minor track work, fine tuning a set of points and completing welding and grinding work where it is required.

All of this work is essential maintenance to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway and to try to improve the railway’s resilience against flooding in future.

When is the work taking place?

Preparation work

Preparatory work varies for our four bridges, having started at the end of November for Middle Drove and early December for the bridge over the River Brue.

Track drainage work will be fully completed within the five day core upgrade as outlined below.

Core upgrade (five days of 24-hour working):

• 0515 Monday 3 February – 0515 Saturday 8 February

Follow up work

We will be working on Middle Drove and River Brue bridges until 24 June, including Saturday night shifts throughout that time so we can work from the railway while trains are not running. A full road closure will be in place on Accommodation Road until mid-June.

How will this work affect me?

Work to replace and repair bridges can be noisy, as can drainage refurbishments and inspections. There will be some disruption for road users and pedestrians too, with agreed closures in place where required to ensure the safety of the public and our workers. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Travel arrangements: Monday 3 to Friday 7 February

This essential maintenance work will affect trains running via Bridgwater with replacement buses planned to cover all journeys between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare.

While this work on bridges and track drainage through Somerset is taking place, please check before you travel and allow extra time for your journey.

Why is the work needed?

This essential engineering work is needed to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

Get in touch

If you have any questions please call our dedicated 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or visit our contact us page.