Network Rail has finished a major refurbishment of Portway railway bridge in Frome, allowing the A362 beneath it to fully reopen to traffic. The structure, built in the 1970s, has undergone significant strengthening to ensure it can safely support the demands of a modern rail network.

Engineers added new steel to the underside of the bridge to better distribute the weight of today’s faster and more frequent trains. The structure also received grit-blasting and a fresh coat of paint, along with updated anti-collision markings to improve safety for road users.

The project forms part of a wider programme of bridge improvements carried out across the West over the past year, aimed at keeping key rail and road routes safe and reliable for decades to come.

Vaheesan Maheswaran, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said:

“We thank people living in and around Frome for their patience while we completed our work. It’s essential all our bridges are fit for a modern railway and this work will keep passengers and road users safe for decades to come.”

Image: Network Rail