Buses Replace Trains as Engineers Tackle Landslip Near Axminster

Emergency engineering work is set to take place near Axminster over the weekend of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January after a landslip was detected alongside the railway.

To allow engineers to stabilise the line safely, trains will not run between Crewkerne and Exeter during the weekend, with rail replacement buses operating instead. One service will run directly between Crewkerne and Exeter, calling at Honiton as well as Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids, while a second service will stop at all intermediate stations between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids.

Passengers are being urged to plan ahead, check journey information before travelling and allow extra time, with journey planners due to be updated by the end of the week. It has also been confirmed that Crewkerne station car park will be closed for the duration of the works to provide space for the replacement buses.

The decision to close the line follows the discovery of ground movement beneath the track last week. Engineers immediately imposed a 5mph speed restriction as a precaution and began monitoring the embankment. Further inspection revealed that the area where the embankment meets a water channel connected to the River Axe had softened and started to give way.

During a 52-hour possession, teams will install a permanent repair across a 20-metre section of track. This will involve constructing a retaining wall made from large interlocking rocks, known as rock armour, at the base of the embankment to prevent further movement and stabilise the slope.

Engineers will also use the closure to rebuild the embankment supporting the track, replacing and compacting ballast and realigning the rails to ensure they are safe and level. Network Rail says the work is essential to restore the railway’s strength and reduce the risk of future instability, while also carrying out additional maintenance between Crewkerne and Exeter where possible.

Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Tom Desmond, Operations Director, said:

“We’re really sorry for the disruption this weekend and the short notice of this closure. We know closing the line between Crewkerne and Exeter is going to be frustrating for passengers, and it’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly. Safety has to come first, and after heavy rain from Storm Goretti, and the River Axe relief channel next to the railway, we need to step in quickly to make sure trains can run safely. Our engineers will be working round the clock to install a rock wall to stop the earth from moving anymore, rebuild the embankment, replace the ballast that holds the track in place and realign the track. Thank you for bearing with us while we carry out these essential repairs – we’ll do everything we can to get the railway back open as soon as possible.”

Once repairs are complete, the line is expected to reopen initially with a 5mph speed restriction for around a week. This will allow teams to closely monitor the site before services return to normal line speeds, provided the ground remains stable.

Image: Network Rail