Buses will replace trains for some East Devon rail passengers over the Easter weekend when engineers replace a section of track that runs through Seaton Junction, to the west of Axminster.
Over the Easter weekend, Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6, engineers will be replacing the stretch of track on the West of England Line.
Buses will replace trains between Yeovil Junction and Honiton all day on April 3 and then extend between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids after 6pm.
South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex said the track through Seaton Junction has reached the end of its natural life and the work will ‘ensure passengers have a smoother and more reliable journey’.
What work is taking place
- Over the Easter weekend, engineers will replace a stretch of track to the west of Axminster station.
- Once this track has been replaced, a tamper will be brought in to ensure it is in its optimal alignment to allow services to run smoothly over the line.
- Engineers will also assess drainage and inspect structures in the Crewkerne area to ensure the continued safe running of trains.
Changes to train services
- Trains from London Waterloo to Exeter St David’s will finish their journeys at Yeovil Junction.
- A two-hourly shuttle train service will run between Honiton and Exeter St David’s during the day. Trains from Honiton to Exeter will run between 0814 and 1814.
- Train services from Exeter to Honiton will run between 0725 and 1725. On Sunday 5 April, the shuttle train service will start later, but will finish at the same time.
- Buses will replace trains between Yeovil Junction and Honiton and will call at both Crewkerne and Axminster.
- From 1800 until the end of service, two buses will run between Yeovil and Exeter Central.
- Both buses will call at Crewkerne, Axminster and Honiton and Exeter Central with one of those buses also calling at Cranbrook and Pinhoe.
Network Rail and South Western Railway have worked together to put the replacement services in place for passengers to continue their journeys during the closure.
George Murrell, Route Renewals Director, spokesman for South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, said: “We are sorry to be closing the West of England Line between Yeovil Junction and Honiton this weekend.
“We understand that the railway is important to the communities we serve on this line and we have endeavoured to minimise the disruption this closure will bring.
“This essential work will help improve reliability and future journeys for passengers.”
