Tuesday 13 Jan 2026
DEVON: Emergency works to repair a landslip in Axminster mean buses replace trains between Crewkerne and Exeter on 17-18 January
- Region & Route:
- Southern: Wessex
- | Southern
Engineers will carry out emergency works near Axminster over the weekend of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 of January to stabilise the railway following a landslip.
To allow these repairs to take place safely, buses will replace trains between Crewkerne and Exeter throughout the weekend. One bus will run directly between Crewkerne and Exeter, calling at Honiton and both Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids, while a further bus will call at all intermediate stations between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids.
Passengers are advised to check before travelling and allow extra time for their journeys with planners updated by the end of the week. Passengers should also note that the car park at Crewkerne station will be closed to accommodate the buses.
Last week, engineers spotted movement in the ground beneath the track and immediately implemented a speed restriction of 5mph for the safety of passing trains. Engineers have been monitoring the embankment and, following closer inspection, have determined that where the embankment meets a water channel linked to the River Axe, had softened and started to give way.
In a 52-hour window, a permanent fix will be made across a 20-metre stretch of track so trains can run at normal speeds again. Engineers will build a retaining wall using large interlocking rocks, known as rock armour, at the base of the embankment. This will act as a protective barrier, holding the slope in place and stopping the earth from moving any further.
The weekend closure will also give engineers time to rebuild the embankment that supports the track, replacing and compacting the ballast that holds the rails in position and realigning the track to make sure it’s safe and level. These works are essential to restore the strength and stability of the railway and prevent further movement.
While the railway is closed, we will endeavour to make the best use of the time available between Crewkerne and Exeter to help keep the railway in good condition.
Speaking on behalf of Network Rail and South Western Railway, Tom Desmond, Operations Director, said: “We’re really sorry for the disruption this weekend and the short notice of this closure. We know closing the line between Crewkerne and Exeter is going to be frustrating for passengers, and it’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly.
“Safety has to come first, and after heavy rain from Storm Goretti, and the River Axe relief channel next to the railway, we need to step in quickly to make sure trains can run safely.
“Our engineers will be working round the clock to install a rock wall to stop the earth from moving anymore, rebuild the embankment, replace the ballast that holds the track in place and realign the track.
“Thank you for bearing with us while we carry out these essential repairs – we’ll do everything we can to get the railway back open as soon as possible.”
Once the repair has been completed, the line will originally reopen at 5mph for a week to allow teams to monitor the site before returning to line speed, providing the land remains stable.
Notes to Editors
Plan My Journey
Buses will replace trains between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January, following an earlier landslip in the Axminster area.
Train services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will start and end their journeys at Crewkerne.
Rail replacement bus services
An hourly fast bus service will run between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids, calling at Honiton and Exeter Central, taking approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes:
On Saturday 17:
- The first bus from Crewkerne will be at 0635, calling at Honiton (07:15), Exeter Central (07:50) and Exeter St Davids (07:55).
- Buses will then run on the hour from 0700 to 2200. The final bus service from Crewkerne at 2300 will call at Honiton only (2340).
- The first bus from Exeter St Davids will be at 0510, calling at Exeter Central (0515), Honiton (0545) and Crewkerne (0630).
- Buses will then run hourly from 0605 to 2050.
On Sunday 18:
- The first bus from Crewkerne will be at 0800, calling at Honiton (0840), Exeter Central (0915) and Exeter St Davids (0920).
- Buses will then run hourly from 0900 to 0005.
- The first bus from Exeter St Davids will be at 0745, calling at Exeter Central (0750), Honiton (0820) and Crewkerne (0905).
- Buses will then run hourly from 0845 to 2145.
An hourly stopping bus service will run between Crewkerne and Exeter St Davids calling at Axminster, Honiton, Feniton, Whimple, Cranbrook, Pinhoe and Exeter Central, taking approximately 2 hours.
On Saturday 17:
- The first bus from Crewkerne will be at 0635, calling at Axminster (0705), Honiton (0725), Feniton (0740), Whimple (0800), Cranbrook (0810), Pinhoe (0817), Exeter Central (0831) and Exeter St Davids (0836).
- Buses will then run on the hour from 0700 to 2200. The final bus service from Crewkerne at 2300 will only call at Axminster (2330) and Honiton (2350).
- The first bus from Exeter St Davids will be at 0518, calling at Exeter Central (0523), Pinhoe (0543), Cranbrook (0550), Whimple (0600), Feniton (0620), Honiton (0635), Axminster (0655) and Crewkerne (0725).
- Buses will then run hourly from 0558 to 1958.
On Sunday 18:
- The first bus from Crewkerne will be at 0800, calling at Axminster (0830), Honiton (0850), Feniton (0905), Whimple (0925), Cranbrook (0935), Pinhoe (0942), Exeter Central (0956) and Exeter St Davids (1001).
- Buses will then run hourly from 0900 to 0005.
- The first bus from Exeter St Davids will be at 0658, calling at Exeter Central (0703), Pinhoe (0723), Cranbrook (0730), Whimple (0740), Feniton (0800), Honiton (0815), Axminster (0835) and Crewkerne (0905)
- Buses will then run hourly from 0758 to 2058.
Crewkerne station car park
The car park at Crewkerne station will be closed on both days, with the exception of limited parking for blue badge holders.
Customers seeking to park at Crewkerne and travel towards Exeter may wish to consider parking at Axminster to use the rail replacement bus service to Exeter.
Customers seeking to park at Crewkerne to travel towards London may wish to consider parking at Yeovil Junction to use the train service to London Waterloo.
Journey planners
Journey planners are currently showing no services from Axminster to Exeter St Davids on the affected dates.
Bus services for Saturday 17 will be added on Friday 16. Bus services for Sunday 18 will be added on Saturday 17.
We’re sorry for the short notice of this closure.
Please check back for updates.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Tom Moore
Communications Manager
Network Rail
07354531500
Thomas.Moore@networkrail.co.uk
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