Media centre

A rail taskforce pulling together a dozen national and regional organisations has been established, marking the launch of a high-level study that aims to protect a key rail link between Devon and Cornwall against extreme weather.

Network Rail is mobilising its engineers to assess damage to the railway, whilst exploring a temporary solution to enable some services to run, as flood water starts to recede at Bridgwater.

A joint scheme of around £811k aimed at improving the access to Hayle station was today unveiled by Network Rail, First Great Western, Cornwall Council and Sustrans.

Due to the extreme weather conditions there is severe disruption on the West Coast Main Line.

Rail passengers are being advised to check with their train operators before travelling today, as gale-force winds and heavy rain will mean changes to some scheduled services.

Network Rail is planning to re-open the section of Cambrian Coast railway between Dovey Junction and Barmouth next week.

Network Rail has laid out its proposals, as tasked by the Government in summer 2012, for a new rail link from the Great Western main line to London Heathrow airport.