Train Disruptions Ahead on London–Exeter Route from 11 August
Travellers heading from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids and Yeovil Junction face timetable changes from Monday, 11 August. South Western Railway has confirmed a temporary reduction in services following track safety concerns caused by unusually dry weather. The revised schedule will remain in place until conditions improve, affecting both long-distance journeys and regional stops, including Crewkerne, where trains will resume after weeks of bus replacement services.
The decision comes after a 12-mile stretch of track between Gillingham and Axminster was destabilised due to prolonged drought. Dry clay embankments have shrunk, disturbing track levels and forcing trains to reduce speed from 85mph to 40mph for safety reasons. This disruption means fewer trains can pass each other on single-track sections, making it impossible to maintain the normal timetable on this key West of England route.
We want to give customers the longest notice possible of timetable changes, and following a comprehensive analysis of ground and track conditions, we know that we must make changes in the next two weeks. We have worked closely with our colleagues at South Western Railway to understand the impact of the speed restrictions, and we will regularly review conditions in order to restore the normal timetable as soon as possible.
Engineers from Network Rail are monitoring soil conditions daily and plan permanent repairs once the ground naturally rehydrates and settles. Attempting to fix the track now would not hold long-term due to ongoing soil movement. The line west of Salisbury will therefore operate on a slower, less frequent schedule until repairs can be carried out safely, with the aim of restoring full services once stability is guaranteed.
With disruptions expected from 4 August, travellers are encouraged to think a step ahead, reshuffling their plans early so last-minute surprises don’t derail their journeys. Key points include:
- Checking updated timetables in advance of travel.
- Allowing extra time for journeys due to expected delays of up to one hour on London–Exeter services and around 25 minutes on the Yeovil Junction route.
- Keeping in mind that some links to other trains or local buses might fall through, so having a backup plan can save the trip.
- Noting that flexibility will be reduced across Somerset and Devon until conditions improve.
- Benefiting from the reinstated direct train stop at Crewkerne, which replaces temporary bus services.
This disruption is a clear reminder that changing weather conditions are already reshaping how the railway network runs day to day. For anyone travelling to the South West, it’s wise to keep plans loose and be ready for slower trains or fewer options on the timetable. These changes, while inconvenient, are aimed at keeping journeys safe and preventing larger-scale cancellations. In the longer term, they could also push forward improvements to make the network more reliable during extreme weather.