Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
Rail passengers in East Devon are facing significant disruption after a temporary timetable was introduced on the West of England line due to safety concerns linked to prolonged hot and dry weather.
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex have implemented the revised timetable between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids following concerns about the stability of railway infrastructure affected by recent weather conditions.
Under the temporary arrangements, trains between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids will run only once every two hours. Most journeys from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids are expected to take up to 24 minutes longer than usual, while services from Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo could take up to 27 minutes longer.
The changes have been introduced because unstable clay embankments between Salisbury and Exeter have dried out during the prolonged period of hot weather, affecting track stability.
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