Sinkhole forces overnight rail closure between Exeter and Newton Abbot after storm damage

Heavy flooding continues to disrupt rail services in and out of Exeter as back-to-back storms leave large parts of the Devon network closed, with emergency engineering work also forcing an overnight shutdown of the main line towards the coast.

The line between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot is closed from 7pm on Wednesday 28 January until 7am on Thursday 29 January. 

Engineers are carrying out emergency repairs following Storm Chandra, which leaves an 8m by 3.5m sinkhole close to the track between Dawlish and Teignmouth.

Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) are advising passengers that disruption across Devon and Cornwall is expected to last for several days following persistent heavy rain and widespread flooding caused by recent storms. 

Several routes serving Exeter remain closed, and passengers are being urged not to travel unless absolutely necessary.

Lines currently closed include Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple and Exeter St Davids to Okehampton via Crediton. 

The main line between Taunton and Exeter St Davids is also closed due to deep, fast-moving floodwater at Hele, north of Exeter. Trains are unable to run on this section, and only limited replacement buses are operating. 

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The line is expected to remain closed until at least Wednesday 28 January, with journeys taking longer than usual because of flooded roads.

Poor road conditions mean replacement bus services are not able to operate on these routes at present, and Network Rail has warned that these branch lines are likely to remain closed for several days while safety checks and repairs take place.

During the closure, services continue to run between London and Exeter St Davids, and between Newton Abbot and Penzance, with rail replacement buses operating between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot, and between Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway. 

Passengers are warned to expect busy conditions on replacement services, while the Night Riviera Sleeper is cancelled in both directions on Wednesday night.

Network Rail engineers work through the night to fill the sinkhole with around 200 tonnes of material, using heavy equipment that requires the railway to be shut for safety reasons. 

A nearby coastal footpath between Teignmouth and Smuggler’s Lane is also closed to allow the work to be completed safely.

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood says the repairs are essential to protect the reliability of rail services used by many Exeter passengers. 

“To continue to be able to provide safe and reliable services on this really important section of track linking Devon and Cornwall, we need to make this repair as soon as possible,” he says.

“To do so will unfortunately impact a small number of journeys, and we are working to keep this to a minimum. Please do however aim to complete your travel by 1900 on Wednesday evening between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.”

“We aim to have the line reopen early on Thursday morning, though further inclement weather is forecast over the coming days and as ever the safety of our customers and colleagues is always our top priority.”

Network Rail route director Marcus Jones says the damage is a direct result of recent extreme weather. 

“Storm Ingrid left a sinkhole near the railway that requires repair as soon as possible,” he says. 

“Our teams need to close the railway on Wednesday evening for 12 hours to allow us to safely move heavy equipment to the area and start working to fix this issue.”

He adds: “We’re very grateful to passengers and local residents for their patience while we complete these essential repairs.” 

“To ensure this work can be completed safely, the footpath between Teignmouth and Smuggler’s Lane will also be closed from the evening of Wednesday 28 January until early next week.”

“We’re working as quickly as we can and will reopen the path as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

The overnight closure follows days of disruption for Exeter rail users after Storm Chandra brings heavy rain, flooding and strong winds across Devon, affecting multiple routes and leading to delays and cancellations. 

Rail operators warn that further disruption remains possible if more bad weather hits already saturated ground.

Passengers travelling to and from Exeter are being advised to continue checking journey planners before setting out, as engineers remain on standby to respond to any further weather-related issues across the network.