Starting today, no trains will stop at Crewkerne railway station in Somerset until further notice, Network Rail has announced. This disruption affects the London Waterloo to Exeter St. David’s line operated by South Western Railway, which typically provides hourly services in both directions.
The suspension of services at Crewkerne stems from damage caused by recent hot and dry weather conditions impacting the clay embankments between Salisbury and Axminster. These Victorian-era clay embankments have shrunk due to severe soil moisture deficit following the West Country’s driest spring since 1836 and an exceptionally dry summer forecasted to be the driest in 200 years.
As a safety measure, trains running through this section are subject to a 40mph speed restriction over a four-mile stretch near Crewkerne to prevent further damage. Due to the single-track nature of much of the West of England Line and the cumulative delays that calling at Crewkerne would cause, Network Rail has decided to halt all stops at the station for the foreseeable future.
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In place of train services, a rail replacement bus service will run between Axminster and Yeovil Junction, connecting with trains at these stations with approximately 30-minute journey times on the bus route.
Tom McNamee, Wessex route infrastructure director at Network Rail, expressed regret for the inconvenience, explaining that the track disruption cannot be repaired until weather conditions improve. He emphasized the importance of preventing extensive cancellations and timetable gaps further along the route.
Customers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and check South Western Railway’s website regularly for the latest travel updates as Network Rail continues to monitor soil moisture levels and assess further potential timetable changes on the West of England line.