THE West of England line between Axminster and Exeter will close in two weeks time from November 9 to November 22.

Buses will replace trains while Network Rail engineers install a mile of new track through Honiton Tunnel.

Over a two-week period, engineers will replace the existing 50-year-old track through the tunnel, as well as installing new sleepers and ballast.

The existing track is coming to the end of its life which means it is prone to faults which can cause disruption and delays to passengers.

The new rail is designed within millimetre precision and will make for smoother and more comfortable journeys with less faults. It will also be coated with a protective layer, which will resist corrosion and prolong the life of the track.

During this closure, Network Rail will be utilising the time to complete a range of other work including: 

  • Improving track drainage, channelling water away from the tunnel reducing the likelihood of disruption due to flooding  
  • Maintenance work at Feniton Level Crossing and Fenny Bridges Foot Crossing
  • Cutting back carefully selected diseased and dangerous trees between Honiton and Pinhoe
  • Replacing half a mile of track between Pinhoe and Feniton. 

Impacts to passenger services

South Western Railway (SWR) will be running rail replacement bus services between Axminster and Exeter St Davids: 

Weekdays: 

  • 1 per hour Axminster to Exeter St David’s – calling at Honiton, Cranbrook and Exeter Central.  
  • 1 per hour Axminster to Exeter St David’s – calling at Honiton, Feniton, Whimple, Cranbrook, Pinhoe and Exeter Central. 

Weekends: 

  • 1 per hour Axminster to Exeter St David’s – calling at Honiton and Exeter Central.  
  • 1 per hour Axminster to Exeter St David’s – calling at Honiton, Feniton, Whimple, Cranbrook, Pinhoe and Exeter Central. 

Mark Goodall, Wessex route director, said: “There is never a convenient time to close the railway for an extended duration so we’re sorry to any passengers disrupted by this closure and thank them in advance for their patience and understanding.

"The West of England Line is a critical route for connecting passengers from Devon to London, and vice versa, and this forthcoming work is really important for the continued safe and reliable running of train services.

“In particular, the track through Honiton Tunnel is now life expired and in need of replacing with new and more resilient track and while that is being completed our teams will be undertaking a number of other useful pieces of key maintenance and upgrades along the line to support us in running the best possible service we can when the line reopens on Saturday 23 November.”

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director for South Western Railway, said: “Customers travelling between Axminster and Exeter should check their journeys and allow extra time to complete them, as buses are replacing trains from Saturday 9 to Friday 22 November.

“Closing important parts of the railway for two weeks is never an easy decision because we know how inconvenient it can be for customers, but the closure will allow Network Rail to deliver significant improvements on this part of the West of England line.

“We thank customers for their patience as these essential improvements are carried out, which will boost performance for years to come and help avoid day-to-day disruption on this busy part of our network.”