Track Renewals between Taunton and Exeter St Davids set to improve journeys for passengers: Tiverton blockade

Friday 25 Sep 2020

Track Renewals between Taunton and Exeter St Davids set to improve journeys for passengers

Region & Route:
Wales & Western: Western

From Sunday 27th September to Saturday 3rd October Network Rail will be working day and night to renew track in order to improve line speed between Taunton and Exeter St Davids 

Currently, there is an emergency speed restriction between Taunton and Exeter St Davids due to newer trains running on older sections of track.

The work will involve engineers taking out and replacing old track and ballast to restore the original 100mph line speed, prevent delays and to provide more reliable journeys for passengers.

Network Rail urges passengers to check before they travel as there will be a replacement bus service running between Taunton and Exeter St Davids.

Jason Pankhurst, Network Rail Project Manager said:

“We are carrying out major track renewal and enhancements to the railway line between Tiverton Parkway and Exeter.  Once completed we will not need to return to the area to replace the track for at least 25 years. At the same time we have other projects being carried out both at Hele and Bradninch level crossing as well as Tonedale near Wellington.”

Notes to Editors

Please contact Matthew Thompson on 07734 647609 for more information

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Callum Jones
callum.jones2@networkrail.co.uk

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