Construction of 145 new homes in Somerset could begin prior to alterations to a nearby railway level crossing, pending approval from Somerset Council. Tilia Homes, the developer behind the Maple Grove project off Lang Road in Crewkerne, secured planning permission on appeal in November 2025 to build the homes near the Cathole Bridge Road level crossing, which spans the London to Exeter railway line.
Currently, legal agreements stemming from a 2020 appeal require that development cannot start until a public footpath crossing the railway west of the level crossing—footpath CH27/21—is officially closed or “stopped up” for safety reasons. This path runs south of Cathole Bridge Road, crossing the railway via stiles before continuing towards the Dorset border.
Tilia Homes has applied to revise this condition, seeking permission to begin foundation work on up to ten homes and construct the new access road in advance of the footpath closure. Michael Russell of Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd, representing the developer, emphasized the urgency: “Tilia Homes has until November 2027 to start development on site. They are anxious to start work on site to secure the implementation of the approved planning permissions.”
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The developer argues that delaying construction until the footpath is stopped up unfairly holds back progress. They have actively engaged in promoting the footpath diversion process, acknowledging it to be slow and complex. Network Rail conducted a public consultation in January 2026 about diverting the footpath to run south of Cathole Bridge Road and reconnect to existing routes, aiming to improve safety and accessibility.
Cathole Bridge Road currently lacks pavements, is flanked by high hedges, and often serves as a shortcut for pedestrians traveling to Crewkerne railway station, which sees hourly services from South Western Railway. As part of the proposal, Tilia Homes has offered £78,000 to Network Rail to assist with formally stopping up the footpath if the revised plans are approved.
However, the Space4Crewkerne campaign group has voiced serious safety concerns. They highlight that the proposed replacement pathway, a narrow 1.2-meter strip along the road’s edge without barriers, could put pedestrians at risk from vehicles. The group also points out the absence of adequate signage and lighting to alert drivers, alongside rising traffic volumes and the lack of a speed limit on this stretch of road. They worry that pedestrians and animals could inadvertently enter the road, increasing the danger.
Public comments on the footpath changes are invited via email to [email protected] or by post to Rights of Way, Somerset Council, County Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY by June 24.