Saturday 8 Feb 2014
Media update: flooding and landslip block routes to Exeter
- Region & Route:
- National
Flooding on the Somerset Levels and a landslip at Crewkerne means there are no routes to the West Country open to trains this Saturday afternoon.
The route from Bridgewater is blocked by the flooded River Parrett to the south of the town, while the main line from Castle Cary is blocked by flooding at Athelney.
The diversionary route via Yeovil is also blocked by an embankment landslip at Crewkerne. This was discovered soon after 9am this morning but it has now deteriorated to the extent that trains are no longer able to run.
It is likely that the slip at Crewkerne will be closed for a least a week, but it is too early to say when the line through Bridgewater will reopen. The floods are currently being blown into waves by the high winds in the area, which are washing away the stones the track rests on.
The route via Athelney is under water but will be assessed as soon as the flood level drops.
Work at the damaged sea wall at Dawlish, on the Devon coast, is progressing well in 6-hour shifts, in between high tides.
Passengers are advised to check before they travel for the rest of the weekend, either with their operator or at www.nationalrail.co.uk
Notes to editors
The rest of the network is running relatively well, with punctuality nationwide running at 93 per cent.
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