A rural level crossing in Somerset may soon be widened to accommodate a new pedestrian link, following the approval of 145 homes nearby. The Cathole Bridge Road level crossing, located just south of Crewkerne near the Somerset-Dorset border, lies close to the Crewkerne tunnel—recently repaired after a landslip in December 2023.
This crossing facilitates safe passage between Crewkerne and the neighbouring village of Misterton, spanning the London Waterloo to Exeter St. David’s railway line. The route is served by the recently nationalized South Western Railway (SWR), which runs one train each way per hour.
In July, Network Rail applied to Somerset Council for permission to reroute a nearby public right of way so that it crosses over the level crossing, replacing the current un-signalised pedestrian path between the crossing and the tunnel. The proposed changes aim to improve safety and pedestrian flow.
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Network Rail plans to host a drop-in event in Crewkerne early next year to discuss the proposed alterations. If approved, the new footpath route could be implemented as soon as summer 2026.
This development follows the Planning Inspectorate’s recent approval of Tilia Homes’ appeal to build 145 houses at the Maple Grove site on Lang Road, located only a few hundred yards north of the level crossing.
Local group Space4Crewkerne announced details of the upcoming public meeting on its official Facebook page on December 20. A spokesperson shared: “Following recent barrier work at Cathole Bridge Road crossing and proposed changes to footpath CH27/21, Network Rail will be at the Henhayes Centre in Crewkerne on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, from 10:30am to 12:30pm to discuss their plans.”
Currently, the existing footpath veers south of Cathole Bridge Road near the Lang Road junction, crosses the railway, and continues until it meets a local track which loops back east to Cathole Bridge Road. Under the proposed order, the footpath would follow Cathole Bridge Road to the end of that track.
Notably, Cathole Bridge Road has no sidewalks and is bordered by high hedges. It frequently acts as a shortcut for people heading to Crewkerne railway station—located within Misterton parish—instead of navigating the town center’s one-way system.
Somerset Council has yet to announce a timeline for reviewing Network Rail’s application.