Network Rail will carry out essential track renewals, structural surveys and other work on railway lines in North Devon later this month. For a week between Saturday 21 and Sunday 29 March, train services will be affected between Exeter and Barnstaple, and on the Okehampton route, while vital maintenance is completed.
The work is needed to ensure the continued safe and reliable running of the railway. It will also enable an increase in the speed trains can travel along the track in the future, helping to reduce journey times.
During the eight-days, working on two track renewals between Exeter and Barnstaple (at Chenson and between Barnstaple and Taw), engineers will install 2.7km of track, 3,000 tonnes of ballast, and 4,236 sleepers.
The job will be supported by up to 80 workers out on track at the two locations, with engineering trains, Road Rail Vehicles, and a tamping train to compact the new stone.
Making the most of the opportunity, while trains aren’t running, engineers will also be carrying out minor track adjustments, drainage checks and clearance, inspections on bridges, viaducts, retaining walls and signals, and minor lineside vegetation management.
Buses will replace all trains that would normally operate via Crediton from Saturday 21 to Sunday 29 March.
As an alternative, valid rail tickets can also be used to travel on the number 5, 5A, 5B and 5C Stagecoach services or the number 66 Dartline service.
Other train services will still be operating on the main line at Exeter St Davids, including a reduced service between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central.
However, on Sunday 29 March, track maintenance work will also mean buses replace trains between Exeter St Davids and Tiverton Parkway before midday.
Network Rail lead portfolio manager Mark Parker said: “We appreciate this work represents further disruption to train services in this area, following on from last month’s closures due to flooding. I’d like to thank passengers and residents in advance for their understanding.
“This track renewal work has been planned for some time as an important part of our maintenance regime. It’s vital that we do take time to replace worn components and make improvements to ensure continued safe and reliable journeys for passengers.
“To minimise the overall impact of our work, we are incorporating as much work as possible within this period, with other teams completing additional maintenance and inspections while the railway is closed.”
GWR’s station manager for Mid-Devon, Melanie Harvey, commented: “We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause but the work planned will help us to maintain our train services in the area for years to come.
“Rail replacement services are planned for those stations affected and ticket acceptance is also in place on local bus services in the area as an alternative.
“It’s important that customers are aware these alternative travel arrangements could make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”
Image credit: Network Rail
