New transport hub set to improve bus services in Somerset Levels by Christmas
Somerset Council announces completion timeline for Langport hub
A new rural ‘transport hub’ in the heart of the Somerset Levels will be up and running by Christmas, Somerset Council has confirmed.
As part of its bus service improvements plan (BSIP), Somerset Council has pledged to deliver a number of transport hubs across Somerset, creating greater integration between bus services and other forms of transportation.
Construction is currently under way on the Taunton hub, on the former bus station site on Tower Street, funded by £3.2m of central government grants.
The council has now confirmed it will begin work later in the year to deliver the corresponding hub in Langport, promising that it will be up and running before the festive period.
The rural transport hub was originally earmarked for Somerton town centre, with £510,000 of funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) being set aside.
However, the council confirmed in February 2025 that the chosen location in Somerton was “unworkable”, largely due to the “severe restrictions” on building within a conservation area and the site’s close proximity to a scheduled monument.
Designs of the new hub, which were recently published on social media, will see new bus stops created on Parrett Close near the One Stop store, with all but one of the existing disabled parking spaces being relocated closer to the town’s library.
The hub will be located near the large free Cocklemoor car park, which provides access to the eponymous public open space and the River Parrett Trail, which runs along the length of the eponymous river from its source near Cheddington in Dorset to the Bristol Channel near Burnham-on-Sea.
The new hub will be served by a number of local bus services, including the 54 between Taunton and Yeovil (via Somerton and Ilchester), the 16 between Langport and Bridgwater (via Othery and Westonzoyland) and the demand responsive Slinky service.
A spokesperson said: “The design of the transport hub has changed a little following consultation with Langport Town Council and local groups.
“The main change is the retention of one disabled bay adjacent to the shops.”
In addition to providing better connections for bus passengers, the new transport hub is designed to make onward travel easier for pedestrians and cyclists, with the site serving as a ‘jumping on point’ for several active travel routes.
To this end, secure bike storage will be provided near the existing public toilets and Wessex Water will install a free water refill station.
In addition to the River Parrett Trail, Langport sits on the South Somerset Cycleway, an 80-mile loop which connects the town to Ilminster, Yeovil, Sherborne, Castle Cary and Somerton.
A section of this loop follows the Parrett Cycleway (part of National Cycle Network route 339), which runs from the Westover Trading Estate south towards the neighbouring parishes of Drayton and Muchelney.
Other walking and cycling routes in and near the town are currently being progressed, with the Curry Rivel Active Travel Group progressing a link towards Huish Drove (to avoid the busy A378) and Aller Parish Council working on a separate car-free link near the River Sowy.
Somerset Council said it would shortly confirm when construction on the Langport transport hub would officially get under way, with every effort being made to reduce disruption to locals.
A spokesperson said: “Our design team is currently undertaking some survey work and developing a detailed programme for delivery.
“We are in discussions with Langport Town Council regarding the best time to start the work, during the second half of this year. It is expected that works will be completed by the end of this year.”