Rail passengers in Somerset are being advised to allow more time for their journeys as the Portway Overbridge refurbishment in Frome continues. The work, which began on 19 September, is part of a major project by Network Rail to strengthen and modernise the bridge that carries the railway over the A362.
The bridge, built in the 1970s, is undergoing extensive upgrades to ensure it remains safe and reliable for decades to come. It is one of several structures from that period that now require reinforcement to handle the demands of faster and more frequent train services. As part of the Portway Overbridge refurbishment, engineers are adding new steel to the underside of the bridge to better distribute the weight of passing trains and prevent future faults. The bridge will also be grit blasted, repainted, and fitted with new anti-collision markings.
The ongoing work means that trains will not call at Frome station on Saturdays or Sundays while the project is underway. Services between London Paddington and Taunton, as well as Bristol Temple Meads and Weymouth, are being diverted along alternative routes. Network Rail has put replacement bus services in place for passengers travelling between Westbury and Frome to help minimise disruption.
Vaheesan Maheswaran, Network Rail’s lead portfolio manager, described this stage as critical. “This weekend of work is a crucial time in the project to make sure we can reopen the road on time,” he said. “We’re sorry for the disruption but it’s vital that we have a bridge that’s safe for trains long into the future.”
The A362, which runs beneath the bridge, is closed to all traffic until 24 November, though pedestrians can still pass underneath using a temporary walkway. Traffic management measures, including lights at key junctions between Wallbridge and Great Western Street and Wallbridge and The Retreat, are in place to manage local congestion.
Frome Independent Market, which draws thousands of visitors each month, has warned attendees to expect heavier traffic and to follow diversion routes carefully. Drivers travelling from West Shepton and Bruton are being advised to take the A361 and then follow the clearly marked signs to the Park and Ride.
The Portway Overbridge refurbishment is scheduled to continue until late November, with the core phase of the project running from 6 October to 24 November. Most work takes place between 7am and 6pm, though some overnight activity occurs on weekends from 8pm on Saturday until 8am on Sunday.
When complete, the project will deliver a stronger, safer bridge designed to support the growing number of rail services through Frome. While disruption is unavoidable in the short term, Network Rail’s team says the Portway Overbridge refurbishment will secure the structure’s long-term future and provide lasting benefits for rail passengers and local residents alike.
