We’re investing to improve journeys on the West of England line, between Basingstoke and Exeter St Davids station.
We are investing significant amounts of money to improve journeys for our passengers along the West of England Line. Our work will boost the railways reliability and performance and reduce delays caused by infrastructure failings.
What work is taking place?
Over a series of closures our engineers will be:
- Stabilising the earthworks around the track and tunnels to help prevent landslips and the disruptive emergency repairs to fix them.
- Replacing track (the structures which trains run on) which means installing new rails, sleepers and ballast.
- Managing the trees and plants that grow alongside the railway which involves removing hazardous trees to keep trains running on time.
- Completing routine maintenance on other key bits of the railway including bridges, tunnels and level crossings.
When is the work taking place?
Over the next year our teams will be working hard during multiple mid-week and weekday closures to boost reliability and performance along the line.
How will this work affect me?
During these closures rail services in the area will be retimed and diverted, please see South Western Railway’s website for more information. Replacement buses will be running throughout.
Whilst every effort will be made to contain the noisier activities to daytime working, the constraints of our schedules may mean that some noise at night is unavoidable. We apologise if our work causes you any disruption.
Why is the work needed?
Our work will boost the railways reliability and performance, past closures have included:
November/December 2023 we:
- Removed wet beds, waterlogged patches of ballast that cause rough rides for trains, through Crewkerne level crossing
- Improved drainage along the track
- Upgraded Axe Gates and Broom level crossings, between Axminster and Crewkerne stations
- Completed routine maintenance of Weycroft River Bridge outside Axminster
- Replaced track from Tisbury to Sherborne
- Cleared dangerous vegetation between Tisbury and Sherborne
- Completed level crossing maintenance between Tisbury and Templecombe
- Installed cabling between Tisbury and Sherborne
In 2022 we:
- Renewed the railway running over Perretts Bridge (by Tisbury station), replacing 1226 yards of track, installing 4500 tonnes of new ballast and 1720 concrete sleepers.
- A £5 million project to strengthen the cutting at Honiton tunnel which saw the installation of both a 35 and 15-yard King Post Wall, as well as improving the drainage from the many natural springs in the area.
- Renewed track at Axminster station.
- Refurbished Sherborne and Feniton level crossings.
- Installed new tactile paving at Gillingham and Sherbourne stations.
Get in touch
For more information or to get in touch with us, please visit our contact us page, follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.