Crewkerne station temporary closure

Crewkerne station will be closed from Monday 28 July, due to dried out railway embankments. Replacement buses are running to help you complete your journey.

The hot, dry weather creates challenges for our railway. After the UK’s driest spring since 1836 and weeks of dry weather this summer, parts of the Southern Region are being affected by a problem called Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD).

What is Soil Moisture Deficit?

SMD happens when clay embankments dry out and shrink, which can shift the tracks above and make it unsafe for trains to run at normal speeds. Many of our tracks were built over Victorian clay embankments, and the worst affected area right now is a four-mile stretch between Yeovil Junction and Axminster on the West of England line.

To help explain what’s happening, watch our short video below.

What this means for your journey

  • South Western Railway services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will not call at Crewkerne from Monday 28 July, until further notice
  • Rail replacement bus services will operate between Yeovil Junction and Axminster in both directions, calling at Crewkerne
  • Buses will connect with arriving trains at Yeovil Junction and Axminster, with journeys taking approximately 30 minutes in both directions
  • We’ve introduced a revised timetable and slower train speeds on the West of England line to keep everyone safe.

What we’re doing to keep you moving

Our teams are working hard to manage the impact of this hot, dry weather. We’re using modern equipment to monitor the tracks and carry out repairs, but right now, the fixes don’t last long in such extreme conditions. Permanent repairs will only be possible when the clay rehydrates and stabilises, which might not be until later in the autumn.

In the meantime, we’re working with South Western Railway (SWR) to:

  • Keep as many trains running as we safely can
  • Only introducing timetable changes when absolutely necessary
  • Keeping you updated through our websites, station announcements, and social media.

Check before you travel

To help you plan your journey:

  • Visit www.southwesternrailway.com for the latest updates
  • Look out for announcements at stations and online
  • Follow us on social media for real-time updates.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to deliver a safe and reliable service for everyone.