In December, the South Western Railway, (SWR), timetable will increase the number of direct, weekday services to and from London Waterloo on the West of England Line. 

Direct services on the line that connects London Waterloo with Salisbury, Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But SWR say that 'following an increase in customer numbers', a new timetable is being added from Sunday, December 10 will see ten services on the West of England Line extended to and from London Waterloo on weekdays. 

Two services will be extended to London Waterloo from East Devon, providing customers between Honiton and Basingstoke with two, and customers between Exeter and Honiton with one, additional direct service to the capital. 

The 6.20an from Honiton will run through to London Waterloo, calling at all stations to Basingstoke and additionally at Woking and Clapham Junction, arriving at 918 am.

The 6.41am from Exeter St Davids will run through to London Waterloo, calling at all stations to Basingstoke and additionally at Woking and Clapham Junction, arriving at 10.20 am. 

It means two restored, direct services to London Waterloo for customers in Honiton and Axminster, and one restored, direct service to London Waterloo for customers in Exeter, Pinhoe, Cranbrook, Whimple and Feniton. 

Steve Tyler, planning and performance director for SWR said: “We’re delighted to increase the number of through services between London Waterloo and East Devon on weekdays, which were reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“By extending services through to London Waterloo we are restoring vital links between the capital and the South West and providing better connectivity with other services on our network.” 

Simon Jupp, East Devon MP and parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Transport said: "This very welcome improvement in South Western Railway services towards London is fantastic news, particularly for residents of the South West who will have faster and more convenient journeys during the week. 

“The frequency of services is something I’ve raised with South Western Railway and I’ve no doubt these improvements will encourage more people to travel by train."