Media centre

Friday 28 Oct 2005

TRAIN SERVICES IN THE SOUTH WEST HIT BY STORMS

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Rail passengers travelling between Newton Abbot and Exeter St.Davids or St.Erth and Penzance will be affected by the exceptionally severe weather that hit the South West yesterday. The railway line is closed between Newton Abbot and Exeter St.Davids following weather damage mainly around the Dawlish seawall area.  Weather damage has also closed the line between St.Erth and Penzance.  The lines were closed yesterday at 6.30pm and will remain closed for at least the next 24 hours.  Peter Leppard, Network Rail’s acting Route Director for the area, said: “We have teams on the tracks working in difficult conditions to re-open these lines.  Replacement bus services are being provided between Newton Abbot and Exeter St.Davids and St.Erth and Penzance;  details of these services are available at the relevant stations.  Passengers are strongly advised to contact National Rail Enquiries or their train operating company if they are due to travel along these routes in the next few days.”