Network Rail continues West of England Line improvement works

Thursday, 2 April 2026 09:41

Over the Easter weekend, Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April, engineers will be replacing the stretch of track on the West of England Line that runs through Seaton Junction, to the west of Axminster.

Network Rail and South Western Railway are working together to deliver these improvements, helping to provide a more reliable service for passengers on the route.

Buses will replace trains between Yeovil Junction and Honiton all day and then extend between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids after 1800.

The track through Seaton Junction has reached the end of its natural life, and this renewal will ensure passengers have a smoother and more reliable journey.

Over the Easter weekend, engineers will be replacing a stretch of track to the west of Axminster station.

Once this track has been replaced, a tamper will be brought in to ensure it is in its optimal alignment to allow services to run smoothly over the line.

Engineers will also assess drainage and inspect structures in the Crewkerne area to ensure the continued safe running of trains.

Trains from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids will finish their journeys at Yeovil Junction.

A two-hourly shuttle train service will run between Honiton and Exeter St Davids during the day. Trains from Honiton to Exeter will run between 0814 and 1814. Train services from Exeter to Honiton will run between 0725 and 1725. On Sunday, 5 April, the shuttle train service will start later, but will finish at the same time.

Buses will replace trains between Yeovil Junction and Honiton and will call at both Crewkerne and Axminster.

From 1800 until the end of service, two buses will run between Yeovil and Exeter Central.

Both buses will call at Crewkerne, Axminster, Honiton, and Exeter Central, with one of those buses also calling at Cranbrook and Pinhoe.

Network Rail and South Western Railway have worked together to put these replacement services in place, helping passengers continue their journeys during the closure.

Speaking on behalf of South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex, George Murrell, Route Renewals Director, said: “We are sorry to be closing the West of England Line between Yeovil Junction and Honiton this weekend. We understand that the railway is important to the communities we serve on this line, and we have endeavoured to minimise the disruption this closure will bring. This essential work will help improve reliability and future journeys for passengers."

For more information about the work being done to improve the West of England Line, visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-work/our-routes/wessex/west-of-england-line-improvements/

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