Exeter - London rail journeys impacted this weekend, plan ahead

Train journeys between Exeter and London will be disrupted this weekend, with some services cut short and passengers forced to change trains due to engineering work in London.

South Western Railway (SWR) has confirmed that engineering work between London Waterloo and Clapham Junction will affect trains on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, with long-distance services to Exeter among those disrupted.

On Sunday 1 February, all SWR services between London Waterloo and Exeter St. Davids will start and finish at Basingstoke, meaning passengers will need to change trains to complete their journeys to or from Devon.

The work forms part of ongoing track, signalling and electrical supply upgrades that began over the Christmas and New Year period. 

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Some lines between Waterloo and Clapham Junction will be closed, resulting in revised timetables and altered stopping patterns across the network.

SWR has warned that some journeys will take longer than usual and that passengers should check travel details before setting off.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director at South Western Railway, said the company understands the inconvenience but said the work is essential.

“We’re sorry for the disruption that customers may experience this weekend. It’s important customers plan their journeys carefully and allow extra time to complete them, as some services will be revised with changes to calling patterns,” he said.

“When this maintenance, at one of the busiest parts of our network, is complete, our customers can expect fewer delays and a more reliable railway.”

The disruption will also affect other long-distance routes including services to and from Salisbury, Poole, Portsmouth Harbour, Reading, Alton and Basingstoke, as well as a wide range of suburban routes in and out of London Waterloo.

Queenstown Road station will be closed on both days, and some services will not stop at Earlsfield or Vauxhall. 

Passengers are advised to use alternative stations where possible.

SWR is urging all customers travelling this weekend to use its journey planner to check the latest service information and allow extra time for their journeys.

Further updates are available on the South Western Railway website.