Somerset Council is advancing its commitment to improve rural connectivity with the completion of a new transport hub in Langport by Christmas. This initiative is part of the council’s broader Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP), designed to create integrated and accessible transport options across the county.
Following the ongoing construction of a major hub in Taunton—funded by £3.2 million in government grants—the council has announced that work on the Langport transport hub will commence later this year. Originally planned for Somerton, the £510,000 Department for Transport-funded project was relocated due to planning restrictions associated with the conservation area and nearby scheduled monuments.
The new Langport hub, situated on Parrett Close near the One Stop store, will feature new bus stops and the relocation of nearly all existing disabled parking spaces closer to the town library. Its proximity to the extensive free Cocklemoor car park offers additional convenience for visitors and locals, providing access to the public open space and the scenic River Parrett Trail—a walking and cycling route stretching from Dorset to the Bristol Channel.
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Bus services linking the hub include routes 54 (Taunton to Yeovil via Somerton and Ilchester), 16 (Langport to Bridgwater via Othery and Westonzoyland), and the flexible demand-responsive Slinky service. Modifications to the hub design following community consultations include retaining one disabled parking bay adjacent to the nearby shops.
Beyond bus connectivity, the hub supports active travel by encouraging walking and cycling. Facilities such as secure bike storage near public toilets and a free water refill station courtesy of Wessex Water further enhance its appeal. Langport is a key point on the South Somerset Cycleway, an 80-mile loop linking several towns, and the hub connects with the Parrett Cycleway, part of National Cycle Network Route 339.
Local groups continue to develop pedestrian and cycling routes in the area, including new links intended to provide safer, car-free travel options along busy roads and near the River Sowy.
Somerset Council is coordinating with Langport Town Council to schedule construction at a time that minimizes disruption. Survey work and detailed planning are underway, with the project expected to be completed by year’s end, promising a significant boost to rural transport infrastructure on the Somerset Levels.