Engineers will carry out emergency works near Axminster over the weekend of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 of January to stabilise the railway following a landslip.
To allow these repairs to take place safely, buses will replace trains between Crewkerne and Exeter throughout the weekend. One bus will run directly between Crewkerne and Exeter, calling at Honiton and both Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids, while a further bus will call at all intermediate stations between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids.
Passengers are advised to check before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys with planners updated by the end of the week. Passengers should also note that the car park at Crewkerne station will be closed to accommodate the buses.
Last week, engineers spotted movement in the ground beneath the track and immediately implemented a speed restriction of 5mph for the safety of passing trains. Engineers have been monitoring the embankment and, following closer inspection, have determined that where the embankment meets a water channel linked to the River Axe, had softened and started to give way.
In a 52-hour window, a permanent fix will be made across a 20-metre stretch of track so trains can run at normal speeds again. Engineers will build a retaining wall using large interlocking rocks at the base of the embankment. This will act as a protective barrier, holding the slope in place and stopping the earth from moving any further.
The weekend closure will also give engineers time to rebuild the embankment that supports the track, replacing and compacting the ballast and realigning the track to make sure it’s safe and level. These works are essential to restore the strength and stability of the railway and prevent further movement.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Tom Desmond, Operations Director, said: “We’re really sorry for the disruption this weekend and the short notice of this closure. We know closing the line between Crewkerne and Exeter is going to be frustrating for passengers, and it’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly.
“Safety has to come first, and after heavy rain from Storm Goretti, and the River Axe relief channel next to the railway, we need to step in quickly to make sure trains can run safely.
“Our engineers will be working round the clock to install a rock wall to stop the earth from moving anymore, rebuild the embankment, replace the ballast that holds the track in place and realign the track.
“Thank you for bearing with us while we carry out these essential repairs – we’ll do everything we can to get the railway back open as soon as possible.”
