Network Rail has announced that a number of improvements have been made to a section of railway between Taunton and Castle Cary in Somerset has reopened, allowing key workers to get to work.

The section of line reopened after two weeks following completion of nine projects including the replacement of railway bridges, improved tunnel drainage and reinforced embankments.

All nine projects were completed at the same time to reduce the impact on passengers.

The work in Somerset continued despite the coronavirus outbreak following advice from the government.

The upgrades also mean thousands of tonnes of freight can be moved to support the economy, the NHS and get food in shops.

What did the officials say?

Mark Langman, managing director for Network Rail‘s Wales and Western route, said:

“I want to say a huge thank you to the teams who continued to work throughout the coronavirus outbreak to ensure this critical project was finished.

“The upgrades started before the new measures came into force and without our dedicated teams we wouldn’t have been able to finish the work and help the NHS or other emergency staff get to their places of work.

“I would also like to thank lineside neighbours for their patience as we completed a huge amount of work in a short space of time.”

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