Frome Railway Bridge

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We need to refurbish Portway railway bridge over the A362 in Frome to make sure it remains safe for decades to come

What needs to be done?

Portway Overbridge, just north of Frome station, carries the railway over the A362. It’s one of several railway bridges constructed in the 1970s in a Western Box design. These bridges now carry faster and more frequent trains. Work is needed to keep them safe for decades to come.

If work doesn’t happen now, it could eventually lead to the railway being closed for emergency repairs and the road being shut without notice. Work has successfully taken place throughout the West this year to ensure bridges remain safe for a modern railway.

What work is taking place?

Additional steel will be added to the underside of the bridge. This will more effectively distribute the weight of trains and prevent any faults developing in the future. The bridge will also be grit blasted, repainted and new anti-collision markings will be installed.

How does this affect me?

We’ll be working fromFriday 19 September to Friday 28 November 2025. Work will take place during the day from 7am to 6pm. And occasionally overnight from 8pm on a Saturday to 8am on Sunday morning.

Our core work takes place from6am on Monday 6 October to midnight on Monday 24 November 2025. We’ll work during the day, at night and at weekends.

During the core work, the A362 under the railway bridge will be closed to all traffic. A diversion will be clearly signposted, see below map. A walkway under the bridge will be open for pedestrians. Traffic lights will control the junctions between Wallbridge and Great Western Street and Wallbridge and The Retreat.

Frome railway station

Our site compound will be set up at Frome station. This means some car parking spaces will be unavailable for the duration of the project from Friday 19 September to Friday 28 November 2025.

Impact on train services

On Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November 2025, our work will affect all train services via Frome.

Replacement buses are planned between Westbury and Frome. GWR trains between London Paddington and the South West or between Bristol Temple Meads and Weymouth will use an alternative route not stopping at Frome. Some trains will operate between Bristol Temple Meads and Westbury instead of Frome.

I have a question

For any queries about this project, you can contact our 24/7 helpline on 0345 711 4141 or use our online contact form or live chat atnetworkrail.co.uk/contactus

Work timeline summary

Road diversion map

Diversion via A362-A361-B3090-A362

Frequently Asked Questions