Travel disruption warning amid railway bridge work

The work will strengthen the bridge to support faster and more frequent trains

Rail passengers are advised to allow more time for their journeys as work to refurbish a railway bridge continues.

Portway Overbridge in Frome, Somerset, has been undergoing work since 19 September.

As a result, trains will not call at Frome station on Saturday or Sunday, with trains from London Paddington heading towards Taunton and from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth using an alternative route.

Vaheesan Maheswaran, Network Rail's lead portfolio manager, said: "This weekend of work is a crucial time in the project to make sure we can reopen the road on time."

"We're sorry for the disruption but it's vital that we have a bridge that's safe for trains long into the future," he added.

The railway bridge is one of several built in the 1970s which now needs to be strengthened to carry faster and more frequent trains.

New anti-collision markings will also be installed and it will be repainted.

A replacement bus service will be in operation for rail passengers travelling between Westbury and Frome.

The A362, which runs under the bridge, is also closed to traffic until 24 November but pedestrians are still able to walk underneath.

Frome Independent Market, which attracts thousands of people to its monthly events, has told visitors to expect increased traffic and to follow diversions.

Those travelling to the town from West Shepton and Bruton are being told to follow the A361 and then the clear diversion signs to the Park and Ride.