All change please...
The campaign to open a new railway station in either Langport or Somerton will no doubt continue in 2017.
The idea's supporters paint a rosy and exciting picture of the future if it goes ahead. Indeed, the way contributors to the Western Gazette talk about it - you'd think living around here has been some sort of backward rural hell ever since local stations were closed back in the 1960s.
Has it?
The idea's supporters paint a rosy and exciting picture of the future if it goes ahead. Indeed, the way contributors to the Western Gazette talk about it - you'd think living around here has been some sort of backward rural hell ever since local stations were closed back in the 1960s.
Has it?
To play devil's advocate for a moment, Carry On Langport has peered into its crystal ball and now presents an alternative view of the future. This is a purely fictional glimpse of the way it could go if we get that 'much sought-after' station.
Food for thought? Or utter nonsense?
Step inside my dodgy Bridgwater Fair caravan, cross my palm with silver...and you decide:
Food for thought? Or utter nonsense?
Step inside my dodgy Bridgwater Fair caravan, cross my palm with silver...and you decide:
"The mist is clearing! Something's coming through..."
June 2025
Work is completed on Langport Station, which has been built on the line halfway up station path. It and its carpark take up much of the field (next to the cricket field). Campaigners, local people and politicians celebrate. 'LANGPORT' appears on national railway timetables online and at railway stations up and down the country.
Developers, who until now have been slow to start building on empty plots in Langport and Huish, begin to put in major housing estate applications....and there's a need: all the available housing plots behind Newtown & Kelways are now full and fully occupied. But it's widely expected the new national rail link will boost local demand further still.
High earners, working and living in Taunton/Exeter/Salisbury/Plymouth etc and fed up with urban life - realise Langport, Huish and their surrounding villages have suddenly become part of the commuter belt and an ideal place to live, bring up their children and get a taste of the countryside.
2026
Several national retail chains see the potential of Huish and Langport's growing populations. Costa Coffee closely followed by Starbucks open cafes next to the station at Eastover and also down at Tesco. Travis Perkins sells out to Tesco which expands onto the site. Burger King opens a branch at the old Post Office on the corner in Langport and sandwich bar Pret-a-Manger moves into the old NatWest Bank, which has been closed and empty since 2020.
Summer 2027
Housing estates are now completed on the old peony fields directly opposite The Kelways Inn, behind the Kelways estate all the way up to Wearne and outside Langport where The Grange used to stand.
Autumn
2027
The Primary School, overcrowded now for many years, gets permission to build new classrooms on its playing fields - the headmistress tells concerned parents the school will be able to use the academy's sports facilities instead.
Complaints from newcomers, especially on the new 80-plot housing estate next to Courtfield, result in St Mary's Church bells being silenced. They can now only be rung for national events such as Royal births and weddings.
Increasing traffic flow means a one-way system is introduced through the Hanging Chapel.
January 2028
With help from local people, Langport Rec again resists offers and pressure to sell up for housing.
March
2028
After being over-subscribed for years, Langport Surgery finally closes its base on North Street. Its new bigger replacement is on the back Cocklemoor carpark in Langport. Those concerned about the new lack of parking that creates are told the demolition of the long-closed town library & public toilets should free up new spaces.
The railway bridge collapses at The Avenue. Network Rail blames increased train traffic in and out of Langport Station and lack of investment. Numbers 1 and 2 The Avenue, badly damaged in the accident, receive compulsory purchase orders and are demolished during the summer of 2028.
June 2028
Tesco gets planning permission to build a filling station and car charging depot where Langport's old surgery used to be. The old White Lion is demolished to allow traffic access from North Street.
February 2029
Huish Episcopi Parish council, straining under the financial burden of its soaring population, sells its cricket field to developers - saying local players will be allowed to 'hire' facilities at Huish Academy & Sixth Form instead.
Summer 2029
In an effort to ease traffic jams across the area - traffic lights are installed at the now 6-exit Kelways roundabout, outside the Academy, on Huish Church corner and at the Aller turning at Shire's Garage.
That same summer, Shires announces it's closing. Petrol pump and electric car charging queues which now regularly stretch out on to the roads mean it's no longer safe or practical to operate there. Developers instantly move in on the site. Travelodge get permission to build there.
Weeks later, and after last winter's local referendum, Langport Town and Huish Episcopi parish councils merge to help each other cope with the strain on local services caused by their vastly increased populations.
March 2030
Aerial views of Langport and Huish now show a solid mass of carparking, roof tiles and solar panels in every direction. Langport Rec remains the only visible green space.
July 2030
Summer flash flooding results in raw sewage pumping out onto roads, pavements and people's gardens in Garden City, Meadow Close and at the new Travelodge premises. Old-timers on the new Langport & Huish Council say they warned this would happen "years ago" and blame over-development of the area without proper consideration of the strain on decades-old sewers.
November
2030
Concerned about lack of railway station parking at Eastover, the government imposes a compulsory purchase order on Langport Rec. The community is told it'll be allowed to use already over-subscribed facilities at Huish Academy instead. Just a week later, plans are announced to build a 4-floor multistorey carpark on the old rec with room for 20 retail units.
2031 Census
The ten-yearly census shows the population of the new 'town' of Langport and Huish now stands at around 45,000 people.
Economists say "business is booming".
Sorry - that's it - your time's up. The crystal ball has misted over again.
(You only paid for a 10-minute reading)
THE KELWAYS INN
Get tickets for our
NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
70s disco, then DJ with the disco continuing in the back room.
TICKETS £5 IN ADVANCE
***
The building's long gone but the mechanic's still working locally!
Repairs & servicing on mopeds, motorcycles & bicycles.
Also pre-MOTs, servicing & repairing on cars & vans etc.
Collection & delivery available.
Based near Langport.
Tel: 07970925380
