Autumn drainage work in Somerset

Over seven days in December we are replacing drainage affecting train services in the Castle Cary area.

Somerset track drainage work, February 2025

Over the course of one week, between Monday 8 and Sunday 14 December, track drainage is being replaced next to Somerton Tunnel to help alleviate the risk of flooding on the line between Castle Cary and Taunton.

Project in numbers

Up to 25 people will be working on the track at any one time, installing:

  • A new drainage run, spanning 585 metres
  • 14 inspection and maintenance chambers (catch pits)
  • 1, 380 tonnes of track stone
  • 800 tonnes of shingle

To support the work the following equipment will be in use:

  • Two engineering trains
  • One autoballaster (a specialist wagon that lays track stone)
  • One tamping train, to compact track stone
  • Four road rail vehicles for lifting and digging

While the drainage upgrades are taking place other teams are taking advantage of the closure of the line to complete essential maintenance at other locations, including inspections, adjustments and repairs to track signalling components, fine tuning points and completing minor vegetation clearance around junctions and drainage systems in the area.

Our site control centre and temporary compound have been set up in a field off Ricksey Lane. We will be accessing the railway via our access point on Ricksey Lane and at Athelney level crossing.

Road closure

To ensure the safety of the public, and of our workers, a temporary road closure is being put in place on a section of Ricksey Lane, with traffic being diverted around St Cleers, along the B3165 Sutton Road and the B3153 Langport Road.

This closure will be in place from 9pm on Sunday 7 December until 9am on Monday 15 December.

Travel arrangements

Monday 8 to Sunday 14 December 2025

Track drainage work will mean buses replace trains between Castle Cary and Taunton.

A limited number of trains will operate between London Paddington and Westbury or Castle Cary on weekdays, but not on Saturday or Sunday.

As a result, replacement buses are also planned at the weekend between Pewsey and Swindon for onward connections.

Trains between London Paddington and Plymouth or Penzance will use an alternative route between Reading and Taunton, extending journey times by at least 15 minutes.

GWR trains will still operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Weymouth via Castle Cary.

South Western Railway trains between Yeovil and Salisbury via Castle Cary are unaffected.

Bus service Monday 8 to Friday 12 December 2025

Bus service Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025

Please allow extra time for your journey and check before you travel.