Train services at Crewkerne station in Somerset will resume, but with significant restrictions. South Western Railway will operate a reduced timetable between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids starting Monday, August 11, continuing until further notice.
Following the suspension of all train stops at Crewkerne due to the effects of the prolonged hot and dry spell on clay embankments between Salisbury and Axminster, services had been replaced by buses since July 28. Now, train calls at Crewkerne will return, but only once every two hours—a marked reduction from the previous hourly service.
Additionally, journey times will increase. Trains between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will take approximately one hour longer than usual. Similarly, hourly services between London Waterloo and Yeovil Junction will experience delays of about 25 minutes.
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These changes are necessitated by speed restrictions imposed to address a soil moisture deficit affecting the stability of track foundations. Safety remains the top priority, prompting the temporary timetable aimed at providing a reliable yet cautious operation.
Stuart Meek, Chief Operating Officer of South Western Railway, expressed regret over the disruption. “We understand how vital the West of England line is to the communities it serves. While this reduced timetable is far from ideal, it is essential to maintain safe and dependable services. We’re working closely with Network Rail to monitor and improve conditions and encourage customers to plan their journeys accordingly.”
Tom Desmond, Operations Director at Network Rail, emphasized safety concerns underpinning the changes. “Due to ground and track conditions, imposing speed restrictions between Gillingham and Axminster is necessary to protect passengers. We are committed to restoring normal services as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Passengers are advised to check the latest travel information and allow extra time to accommodate these timetable adjustments.