SWR services will not stop at Crewkerne as clay embankments shrink
It's amid the region's driest spring since 1836
From next Monday (28 July), it has been confirmed that South Western Railway services between London Waterloo & Exeter St Davids will not call at Crewkerne until further notice.
It's because of the dry start to the year - which bosses at Network Rail way has led to the clay base in the soil drying out and disturbing the tracks.
Train speed restrictions are also in place.
This all comes after the region’s driest spring since 1836 and a prolonged dry spell continuing into the summer, which is forecasted to be the driest for 200 years.
Because of all of this, we're told the clay embankments between Salisbury and Axminster have dried out and shrunk.
The condition known as ‘soil moisture deficit’ has disturbed the levels of the tracks above, meaning trains cannot travel safely at their normal speeds.
A temporary speed restriction of 40mph will be implemented over four miles in the Crewkerne area and, due to the impact of slower running trains on the wider West of England Line timetable, trains will not call at Crewkerne station.
Train services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will otherwise continue to run as per SWR’s regular timetable. However, Crewkerne station will only be served by a rail replacement bus service, connecting to Yeovil Junction and Axminster.
Buses will connect with arriving trains at Yeovil Junction and Axminster, with journeys taking approximately 30 minutes in both directions. Customers are advised to allow extra time to complete their journeys.
As hot and dry conditions are expected to continue, SWR and Network Rail are warning that additional speed restrictions and further timetable amendments on the West of England Line are likely to be necessary over the summer.
'We have carefully studied the impact'
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Tom McNamee, Network Rail’s Wessex Route Infrastructure Director, said: “We are very sorry for the disruption that customers travelling to and from Crewkerne will experience from Monday 28 July. The hot and dry conditions being felt across the south of England has disturbed track near Crewkerne, and it cannot be fixed until the conditions change. As a result, we have had to introduce a severe speed restriction.
“We have carefully studied the impact and, unfortunately, it will not be possible to operate a safe and reliable timetable while calling at Crewkerne. Regular customers will know that repeated delays in this area have a cumulative effect, and without changes, they can lead to widespread cancellations and large gaps between services, from London to Exeter.
“We are monitoring soil moisture levels across the Southern Region and the indications are that more timetable changes will have to follow on the West of England Line. We will continue to carefully monitor and give customers as much notice as possible.”
SWR and Network Rail say they continue to monitor soil moisture levels, track conditions, and train performance, and will provide updates as soon as possible.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and regularly check the SWR website.