Devon rail passengers face disruption this morning after Exeter track defect
A reported track defect between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot has affected journeys to Paignton and Plymouth, with passengers advised to check before travelling
Train services between Exeter St Davids and destinations across Devon have been disrupted this morning following reports of a track defect in the Exeter area.
Great Western Railway (GWR) said urgent repairs were carried out to the track between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.
Disruption is expected to continue until midday on Friday, November 13, with services between Exeter and Paignton, and Exeter and Plymouth, potentially cancelled, delayed or revised.
The problem has affected stopping services between Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot and Paignton.
Services towards Plymouth, via Newton Abbot, Totnes and Ivybridge, have also been affected, although GWR said these were resuming.
Explaining the cause of the disruption, GWR said: “We have had reports of a track defect in the Exeter St Davids area. If a small defect in the rail gets bigger from repeated bending and pressure as trains pass over it, it can break.”
Passengers with valid rail tickets can use a number of Stagecoach bus services at no extra cost in either direction.
Tickets should be shown to the bus driver.
The routes available include:
- Route 2: Exeter, Starcross, Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot.
- Route 7: Exeter, Newton Abbot and Totnes.
- Route 11: Dawlish Warren, Dawlish, Teignmouth and Torquay.
- Route 38: Exeter, Marsh Barton, Ivybridge and Plymouth.
- Route 39: Exeter, Marsh Barton and Newton Abbot.
- Route 12: Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay and Paignton.
- Route 22: Torquay and Paignton.
- Route C: Exeter, including St Thomas and Marsh Barton, with some differences in the listed route arrangements.
- Routes A, E and P: Exeter St Thomas and Exeter High Street.
GWR said it was also requesting replacement buses and coaches between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot or Paignton.
Passengers were advised to check for updates before travelling.
The operator has also advised passengers to consider postponing their journeys until services return to normal.
Passengers are being advised to check the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner before setting off, or consult station departure boards and speak to staff for the latest information.
Passengers who arrive at their destination at least 15 minutes late because of a GWR delay or cancellation may be eligible for compensation through the operator's Delay Repay scheme.