A trackside restaurant and working creamery celebrating the golden age of the Great British railway. Under a 10-minute drive from The Newt, The Creamery is located at Castle Cary railway station, a principal gateway to Somerset. The historic building is a community hub, serving travellers boarding or alighting trains from London Paddington and the West Country. Visitors can expect hearty dishes, grab and go, and a range of traditional soft cheese and yoghurt using fresh milk from the estate’s herd of water buffalo.

The original ‘Milk Factory’ was erected by brothers, G&C Prideaux, in 1912. Local farmers would deliver churns of milk to be made into cheese at the factory, which would be transported to the newly accessible London market via the railway line. The height of ‘La Belle Epoque’, it was an era of industrial invention, intellectual and artistic creativity and global wanderlust. Travelling the world was a thrilling new possibility and the reimagined building has multiple references to this ‘Golden Age of Travel’. The restored Creamery keeps the year 1912 firmly in mind, with a new brick extension matching the detailing of the original factory. The design celebrates a rich history of handling milk products, with modern cheesemaking returned to the heart of the building.

"Dangerous" parking on a busy A-road near a Somerset train station is "beyond a joke", according to fuming residents. Police officers have been called out to the A371 near Castle Cary Station on a number of occasions this week as locals complain about cars parked on the major route.

A local police sergeant has said officers are "aware" of the problems and have issued Traffic Offence Report notices for parking offences near the station, while Great Western Railway (GWR), which operates Castle Cary Station, has confirmed it is working to expand its car park. A spokesman for Somerset County also revealed there are plans to lay double yellow lines along the A371.

The new footbridge is temporary, erected for this years Glastonbury festival but obviously not needed. It is being left in place whilst the existing footbridge is renovated.

Thanks for the NR link to the photo.
Some strike!

People who use Bridlington railway station are being warned not to get caught out by a new rule.
Anyone travelling towards Scarborough who can't walk over the footbridge needs to be there 20 minutes before the train leaves.
It's to allow enough time to be escorted over a crossing safely instead.

A tractor driver was nearly hit by a train travelling at 73 mph (117 kmph), an accident investigation report found.

The farm worker was towing a trailer over the level crossing at Thorney Marsh Lane near Castle Cary, Somerset, on the morning of 26 November.

A Great Western Railway train travelling from Westbury to Weymouth narrowly missed the vehicle.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) identified a miscommunication between the driver and a signaller.

In its report, investigators said the train driver saw the tractor starting to cross, sounded the horn and applied the emergency brake.

The train came to a stop 450 metres past the crossing. The train driver and the farm worker then both called the signaller to report the near miss.

CCTV photos from the train showed the tractor and trailer cleared the line when the train was around 30 metres from the crossing.

Four minutes late

The train involved was four minutes late leaving Castle Cary railway station and had not passed the crossing when the tractor driver called the signaller asking if the train had been through.

The RAIB said the signaller did not to hear this correctly and assumed that the train had passed the crossing. He did not confirm this with the driver and told him he could cross.

Investigators said the incident "demonstrates the importance of signallers leading the conversation during phone calls from crossing users who may not be accustomed to safety-critical communications".

It also advised that "signallers fully consider and understand the information available to them when deciding whether to give a crossing user permission to cross the line".

Sorry mods - I decided to start this separate thread about the weymouth Wizard rather than add it to the existing thread as I believe that an incident with the returning Wizard today (18th July) needs discussing and answers provided. Feel free to re-merge it if you wish!

I see P3 was only used in the down direction today.

Track or signal issues preventing use in up direction perhaps?

Glastonbury Festival: Too early to say if 5,000 people skipped trains


Glastonbury Festival revellers leave Worthy Farm in Pilton and Somerset for another year as they board the trains at Castle Cary train station

Have we lost nearly 5,000 Glastonbury Festival train travellers? First Great Western say it's too early to say if expectations of 15,000 were met yet.

The number of people travelling to Castle Cary Railway Station to go to Glastonbury Festival grows every year. But First Great Western said the early number of 10,762 travellers arriving last week is "dubious".

That is the number believed to have arrived at the station but spokesman James Davies said: "It's far too early to say how many people have travelled there via train. The figures will be released in due course. We transported 13,500 in 2010 and 2011 and about 15,200 last year."

Travellers from Paddington Train Station on the 7.15am to Glastonbury had a special guest on-board with them, singer Gabrielle Aplin. She performed her chart hits Power of Love, Panic Cord, Please Don't Say You Love Me and Home before returning on the train to London to do an impromptu concert on the platform. But she obviously didn't miss her own train there as Gabrielle performed at Glastonbury Festival herself.

Station Manager to meet with Castle Cary customers

First Great Western is offering customers from Castle Cary the opportunity to meet with their Station Manager on Monday 25 November, following months of restricted access to the station.

To apologise for the difficult access to the station during Network Rail works to Ansford Bridge, First Great Western is to hold a Meet the Manager session on Monday morn, while also offering customers a voucher for ^3 worth of refreshments.

Station Manager Nicholas Reid said: ^I appreciate that the Network Rail strengthening works to Ansford Bridge was inconvenient for our customers. In welcoming them back to the station I would like to offer the opportunity to discuss with me any other comments they may have and to provide them a small gesture to improve as we work to keep people moving.^ 

Voucher will be valid on First Great Western services at the buffet, on trolley services or in the restaurant.

Railway bridge to open partially from next week

Network Rail has announced that one lane of traffic is to open over the Ansford rail bridge from Monday.

The bridge closed to traffic in both directions in July to allow Network Rail contractors to carry out repairs to the bridge.

Traffic lights will control vehicles crossing the bridge for two weeks while follow-up works are carried out.

Chairman of Ansford Parish Council, Janette Cronie questioned why the road could not be reopened tomorrow evening upon completion of the work, rather than waiting until Monday to allow traders to get back to some sense of normality.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: "Contractors have been working 24 hours a day for the past few weekends to get the work completed on time and this weekend will be no exception."

The road is expected to open to traffic in both directions from Monday, December 2.

Ansford Bridge closure costing local economy millions, says MP


The closure of a Somerset road bridge is costing the local economy millions of pounds, the area's MP has said.

Liberal Democrat for Somerton and Frome, David Heath, said traders in Castle Cary were losing business due to the closure of the Ansford Bridge.

The bridge on the A371 has been closed since July while Network Rail carries out maintenance work.

The rail operator has apologised for the inconvenience but says the 19-week programme of work is essential.

"I've taken it up with transport ministers before," Mr Health added, after raising the point in the House of Commons.

"It hasn't had a huge amount of effect, because Network Rail are actually a law unto themselves. They are not responsible directly to ministers.

"What we want is that road open as quickly as possible, businesses getting back on their feet, and the end of the disruption and the trouble to so many local people."

'Negative impact'
 
Mark Davis, a distribution manager at Centaur Services in in Castle Cary, said the closure had had a big impact on his business.

"We reckon on the period of the 19-week closure that it's costing us in the region of ^55,000," he added.

"That's in extra fuel, time, drivers' hours - so it's quite a significant impact on us."

The population of Castle Cary and Ansford, as well as surrounding parishes, is 3,000, according to South Somerset District Council.

The repair works - which means an 18-mile diversion for some traffic - began in July.

Work was due to begin in September last year but was postponed after complaints about a lack of consultation.

Figures commissioned by South Somerset District Council suggested an increase of ^1m in additional costs to the eight largest companies in the immediate vicinity of the road closure.

The council further estimated that "at least another ^1m" will apply to smaller businesses in the area.

Bridge work blamed for HGV 'rat run' through Bruton


Bruton residents claim HGV drivers are ignoring signs to avoid an 18-mile diversion

Repair work on a bridge has led to an increase in heavy goods traffic through a Somerset town, residents claim.

Network Rail closed the A371 for five months in July in order to repair Ansford Bridge, near Castle Cary. But people in nearby Bruton claim HGV drivers are ignoring signs and using the town to avoid an 18-mile diversion.

Pc Sara Stephenson said: "They try and force their way through and ultimately they will damage not only curbs but buildings as well."

The bridge, about five miles (8km) up the road from Bruton, is due to be closed until mid-November for maintenance.

Anna Pittman, who lives in the town, said additional numbers of HGVs were cutting through and that action needed to be "taken against the companies".

"Some of the roads, where they are coming in, are extremely narrow," she said. "You need to send out the signal it's not acceptable - then it may stop."

A local lorry watch scheme is already in place, with residents recording and reporting number plates of offenders. And Pc Stevenson, of Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said any drivers ignoring the town's 7.5-tonne weight limit signs, will face being fined.

"There isn't room for these HGVs," she said. "And I won't think twice about slapping a ticket on those who are offending."

And when you watch the following video from FGW's PR team you'll understand why a speed restriction is a sensible precaution. Great video by the way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVYhp00rzHo

At 0:30 I bet he's thinking, "My job is going to get a lot more interesting any time soon. Chaos. Hopefully, organised chaos." 

Ticket to ride: Glastonbury founder buys train ticket vending machine

Striking a chord with the local community, Glastonbury Festivals founder Michael Eavis is partnering with First Great Western to provide a new ticket vending machine at Castle Cary Station.

Helping you to get to Glastonbury, First Great Western will run over 50 additional trains to and from Castle Cary Station during the festival. Added to the regular hourly service from London Paddington, these trains will provide almost 13,000 extra seats.

First Great Western are delighted that Michael will mark the installation of the new ticket facility at 11.00 on Thursday 23 May.

Welcoming the festival founder and philanthropist, FGW^s Castle Cary Station Manager Nicholas Reid said: ^FGW are continually looking at ways to improve our stations and improve access to the full range of services that we can offer. In the last year over ^85 million has been invested across our network of 210 stations, by working with rail industry partners, the DfT, and local authorities. The work we mark today will allow even more Castle Cary residents to use the station, whether you wish to go down by the seaside or just have the hots for nowhere -helping us to keep people moving in these congested times.^

Ansford public meeting on rail bridge repairs

About 400 people have attended a public meeting in Somerset to voice concerns about road repair work which could last almost five months.

Network Rail organised the drop-in session to hear views from local residents about work to mend the A371 Ansford Bridge near Castle Cary. The work starts on 8 July after it was postponed in September following complaints about poor consultation. It is expected to take 19 weeks and means an 18-mile diversion for some.

'Every sympathy'

Chair of Ansford Parish Council Janette Cronie said: "People locally are very anxious. They are concerned about the impact on local business and the increase of traffic. One of the biggest concerns this morning is that there is no-one from highways, we invited them but they said there was no need to come."

John Baker from Network Rail said: "We have every sympathy with the local residents but the fact is we have consulted very widely with them. We've also, following consultation with Somerset County Council, already reduced the original road closure programme from 24 weeks to 19 weeks." He added that they were also investigating the costs of advertising for local businesses.

'Final straw'

He said: "We are planning to run a series of weekly advertisements for them in order to boost their businesses as much as we possibly can."

Lyn Powell, who runs the Brook House Inn on Station Road, said: "If you've got a customer base that has to go that distance to get to you, after a while they're not going to actually bother. They're going to find somewhere else a bit nearer to them and you may lose that trade when the road reopens. It could be the final straw which breaks the camel's back."

Question time for Network Rail on A371 road closure near Castle Cary

Network Rail has promised to field questions from concerned Castle Cary residents ahead of a major 19-week road closure.

Part of the A371 near Castle Cary railway station will be closed in both directions between July and November. It is feared that the closure ^ which will create a 17-mile diversion for motorists ^ could cripple local trade.

After mounting public pressure during the past few months, Network Rail officials have vowed to allay any fears at a community drop-in session, proposed for Monday, April 5. The venue has yet to be confirmed.

Janette Cronie, chairman of Ansford Parish Council, said: ^I have lived in Castle Cary for 47 years and have never experienced anything of this size. The road closure will have an impact on absolutely everyone in the town. It will be upon us very quickly. I think it^s important for us all to look forward rather than back at some of the mistakes made in the past.^

Network Rail originally planned to close the road to carry out engineering work on Ansford Bridge in September 2012. However, after facing staunch opposition from the local community, the work was delayed until this summer to allow residents and businesses time to prepare for the resulting disruption.

Network Rail will stage a meeting with councillors and businesses later this month to discuss the project^s potential impact on local trade. The public will then be invited to attend April^s drop-in session.

A Network Rail spokesman said: ^We are working with community representatives to establish how we can minimise the impact of the bridge works at Ansford and will be meeting for a second time this month. We will then look to facilitate a community drop in event in mid-April. This is 12 weeks before the commencement of the planned road closure and we are satisfied that these are suitable timeframes for communicating our plans to the wider public.^

The 19-week closure will take place from Monday, July 8 until Friday, November 1. After this, a single-file traffic management scheme will be enforced until Sunday, December 1.

Network Rail set up email account ahead of A371 Ansford Bridge work

Network Rail has set up a public email address for residents in Castle Cary and Ansford ahead of the proposed 19-week closure of the A371, starting in January.

The company needs to undertake essential improvement works to Ansford Bridge near Castle Cary Railway Station.

Robin Basu, Network Rail's community relations manager, Western, said: "We acknowledge that we did not liaise with the community in a timely or adequate manner and we apologise for this. Our next steps will be to give an opportunity for people to share their concerns and also to provide suggestions on how the impact of the road closure can be minimised."

To enable this, Network Rail has set up a special email account, ansfordoverbridge@networkrail.co.uk, where concerns and suggestions can be directed. This facility will be open until Sunday, October 7, 2012.

The company will then collate all information received and hold two meetings in October, with representatives from the community present, to discuss the concerns raised and agree on an achievable plan of mitigation measures.

Anyone with additional questions or concerns should visit www.networkrail.co.uk or telephone our 24-Hour National Helpline on 08457 114141.

A controversial plan to close a major road in Somerset has been overturned thanks to people power.
Network Rail was due to close a section of the A371 at Castle Cary railway station for 19 weeks from next Monday in order to repair a railway and road bridge. But at a fiery public meeting last night, its officials said they would review their decision when confronted by 200 local residents and business people. They have now agreed to postpone the work, possibly for January 2013.

"This is the sensible and the right thing to do," said Somerset County Council Cabinet Member Bob Little, who also is the Local Member for Castle Cary. "We are welcoming this change of heart as it's a victory for common sense."

"We have seen the community in action and we have had acknowledgement that Network Rail got this wrong, they failed to consult with the community and they have apologised. They have made the right decision to delay this work so they can put all that right, consult properly and treat our resident and business people fairly."

First Great Western would like to inform customers that a full road closure will come into force on Monday 07 January to Monday 20 May 2013 between Ansford Bridge and Castle Cary Railway Station.

The road will be closed to allow for vital strengthening work to Ansford Bridge to be carried out by Network Rail and customers are advised to allow additional time if driving to Castle Cary Station.
 
Network Rail^s community relations manager for Wales and West Robin Basu said: ^This is obviously going to have a big impact on local residents, businesses and passengers, who will have to go on a long diversion in order to reach the station.^We^d like to apologise in advance for the disruption this work is likely to cause.^
 
Advance warning notices will be placed on site and posters will go up around Castle Cary Railway Station informing rail users about the works, which are scheduled for completion by the end of May 2013.

Additionally, Network Rail will be writing to local residents and Ansford parish councillors, as well as contacting businesses who will be affected by the works.
 
Separate diversion routes will be put in place for both car and heavy goods vehicles to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. Network Rail has stated that they will be providing Somerset County Council and other parties with weekly updates on progress. People with additional questions or concerns should contact Network Rail^s 24-hour national helpline on 08457 11 41 41 or email us.

Commuters to one the region^s busiest railway stations face diversions of up to 17 miles for the next four months.

Access to Castle Cary train station will only be possible to traffic travelling along the southward carriageway of the A371 from next month.


Ansford Bridge on the A371 will be closed to undergo strengthening work, causing disruption for months

Ansford Bridge will undergo strengthening and repair work with Station Road being closed for 315 metres from Turnpike Cottage until the entrance of the station.

It means the station will only be accessible to traffic from the Shepton Mallet direction from Monday, September 10, leading to traffic bypassing Castle Cary in both north and south directions.

A Somerset County Council diversion will divert traffic westward along the B3153 to the A37 at Lydford-on-Fosse, up to Shepton Mallet and back down the A371 to the station.

Network Rail has issued an advance apology to Castle Cary and Ansford residents, businesses and station passengers.

A full road closure will last until Sunday, December 23, between the bridge and the station, with work likely to last for 19 weeks into the new year.

Robin Basu, Network Rail^s community relations manager for Wales & West, said: ^We^d like to apologise in advance for the disruption this work is likely to cause. This is obviously going to have a big impact on local residents, businesses and passengers, who will have to go on a long diversion in order to reach the station.^

Advance warning notices will be placed on site and posters will go up around Castle Cary Railway Station informing rail users about the works, which are scheduled for completion by the end of January 2013.

Additionally, Network Rail will be writing to local residents and Ansford parish councillors, as well as contacting businesses who will be affected by the works.

The work comes following a routine inspection which found repairs were needed.

Network Rail said separate diversion routes will be put in place for both car and heavy goods vehicles to ensure minimal disruption is caused to journey times.

Mr Basu added: ^We will be providing Somerset County Council and other concerned parties with weekly updates on progress. We will be working hard to minimise the disruption and would be grateful if local people, businesses and passengers can bear with us while this work is taking place. We are expecting seven-day working where possible and will try to complete the strengthening as quickly as possible.^

Scaffolding and screening will be erected around the bridge while the works are carried out.

Fifty-four new support beams will be put in place and the road will be resurfaced.

People with additional questions or concerns can contact Network Rail^s 24-hour national helpline on 08457 114141 or e-mail on crwest@networkrail.co.uk.

No Lee, not trying to blame you for that! Thank you for reporting your good expierence. But it happens every day somewhere around the region, but only bad parts of FGW seem to get around!

Care to elaborate , Jim? If you are reffering to me , I was there on Monday and saw it all myself. They are my words , not taken from any other source.

Is it really down to the company though - the person more likely...

I bet the person who complimented it didn't write the bloody press about the good points though

Shows that there are still some parts of this country where you can find that elusive word 'service' to describ a company, place, person etc.

That's what I call service.