Castle Cary railway station, the closest rail link to the Glastonbury Festival site, is moving closer to receiving significant accessibility upgrades, addressing concerns raised by passengers and local residents. Handling over 354,000 passenger journeys annually, the station has long faced challenges in providing step-free access, making travel difficult for disabled individuals, parents with pushchairs, and those carrying heavy luggage.
As part of the UK government’s ‘access for all’ initiative, Castle Cary and Yeovil Junction stations in Somerset are among 23 stations nationwide selected for accessibility improvements in the coming years. These enhancements include adding ramps or lifts to the existing pedestrian bridge that currently spans all three platforms but lacks facilities for those who cannot use stairs.
Half of the design work for these upgrades is set to be completed by March 2027, with the remaining plans finalized by autumn 2027. The physical improvements are scheduled for implementation in 2028, funded jointly by Network Rail and Great Western Railway, which will soon become nationalised.
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Sarah Dyke, Member of Parliament for Glastonbury and Somerton, expressed optimism about the project’s progress, highlighting the “significant third-party funding” secured and the government’s responsiveness to local concerns. She praised the planned upgrades as a major step forward for residents and visitors alike.
Despite these station-focused improvements, obstacles remain in creating a fully accessible route between Castle Cary station and Glastonbury town centre. Pedestrian access is currently hindered by narrow pavements, uneven surfaces, and unlit pathways along roads like Station Road and Ansford Hill, where sidewalks are either too narrow or nonexistent.
Local resident Roger Lush emphasized the need for broader infrastructure upgrades, noting the recent refurbishment of the footbridge but warning that surrounding pedestrian paths fall short of accessibility standards. He advocates for installing lifts at the station and improving pathways to enable safer, more comfortable travel for all users.
Travelers leaving Castle Cary station currently have two main options to reach the town centre. One is a longer route via the A371 and B3152 roads, which pass by new housing developments and a notorious sinkhole. The other is a shorter footpath route that is narrow and damaged in places but might be enhanced as part of upcoming housing projects, including the Station Green development (200 homes) and a smaller 49-home development on Burfitt Road, which aims to deliver safer crossings over busy roads.
The Glastonbury TrainLink campaign is pushing to introduce a direct shuttle bus service connecting Castle Cary station to the town centre, potentially including a Castle Cary town centre stop. They are seeking £150,000 in funding to trial the service, aiming to offer a convenient and low-carbon connection for residents and visitors. The group highlights the many barriers people face in accessing rail travel, emphasizing the benefits for younger generations and those without cars.
Community input on the trial service is being collected via an online survey hosted at www.glastonburytrainlink.org/survey. The campaign plans to apply for funding through Somerset Council’s bus grant, routed via the Somerset Bus Partnership.
Somerset Council will receive nearly £25 million in bus funding between 2026 and 2030, which will support ongoing revenue and capital projects, including new transport hubs in Taunton and Langport. This funding complements the government’s commitment to maintaining a £3 single fare cap until March 2027, helping reduce travel costs for passengers.
These coordinated efforts promise to enhance accessibility and connectivity for Castle Cary station, ensuring better access to train services for the Glastonbury community and festival-goers alike.