Flooding will continue to disrupt trains in Devon and Cornwall into next week
Multiple lines have been damaged by back to back storms
Last updated 13 hours ago
Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) say train travel across Devon and Cornwall will remain affected into next week after by heavy flooding caused by Storm Chandra.
A yellow weather warning for heavy rain is in place until Saturday morning, 31st January, with several rail lines remaining closed and disruption expected well into next week.
The following lines will be closed into the start of next week:
- Exeter St Davids - Barnstaple
- Exeter St Davids - Okehampton (via Crediton)
- Liskeard - Looe
- Par - Newquay
Bus replacement services are available on the Liskeard- Looe and Par- Newquay lines.
However, replacement services cannot be provided between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple/Okehampton due to poor road conditions.
Passengers are advised not to travel on these routes until services resume.
Network Rail engineers have identified damage on the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines in multiple areas where floodwaters have washed away ballast (the stones that support the track).
Repairs will require bringing in and compacting new ballast to rebuild stable sections of track.
Before reopening the affected lines, divers will inspect underwater structures such as bridges and viaducts to ensure their safety.
However, due to safety reasons work can only begin when water levels drop.
Simon Gillibrand, Network Rail’s Western route operations director, said: “Travel in Devon and Cornwall will continue to be disrupted into the first week of February because of the widespread flooding in the region following back-to-back storms.
“Four lines remain closed and are not expected to open until the early part of next week, however with more rain on the way we will have to continue monitoring water levels before full inspections of these lines can be completed. We’re really sorry for the disruption this is causing for passengers.
“Our teams are on the ground around the clock, working as quickly as we safely can to repair the storm damage so we can reopen these routes as soon as we can. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding.
“Please continue to check before travelling for the latest updates.”
GWR managing director, Mark Hopwood, said: "If you've been travelling with us and affected by this continuing disruption due to the storms, I'd like to apologise. We do hope to get services up and running as quickly as possible.
"The storms have however caused some damage to the railway infrastructure and some of which, such as these vital branch lines, continue to be under water.
“We need the water levels to subside before our friends at Network Rail can check the tracks and make any repairs as necessary."
“Until then we will keep you moving on road replacement transport where we can."