West of England rail line to be closed for one week in February

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West of England rail line to be closed for one week in February

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Gillingham (Dorset). // Credit: Network Rail
Gillingham (Dorset). // Credit: Network Rail

During the last week of February, there will be severe to services on the West of England main line between and Yeovil Junction, with no trains calling at Sherborne or stations.

The closure will last from Saturday, 22nd February, to Friday, 28th February, to allow Network Rail to carry out vital improvements to the railway in the Gillingham area.

While the line is closed, engineers will:

  • Improve drainage in the Gillingham area to minimise the risk of tracks becoming flooded.
  • Stabilise the cuttings at both ends of Gillingham Tunnel to help reduce the risk of landslips and consequent disruption to services.
  • Carry out general maintenance between Gillingham and Yeovil Junction, including inspecting railway equipment, repairing line side fences, and cutting back overgrown or diseased trees and hedges alongside the line.
Network Rail closure notice. // Credit: Network Rail
Network Rail closure notice. // Credit: Network Rail

Network Rail has chosen to carry out the work continuously over one week, rather than over many weekends which would be more disruptive to passengers.

During the closure, customers should check before travelling, as some services will be replaced by buses and train services will be amended and diverted.

Peter Williams, Customer and Commercial Director for commented that the West of England Line is important for the local communities that use it, and that is why Network Rail must carry out this maintenance.

Changes to train services

Saturday, 22nd and from Monday, 24th to Friday 28th February

  • Direct train services between London and Exeter will run every two hours and diverted via Westbury.
  • Rail-replacement buses will operate between Gillingham and Yeovil Junction, calling at Templecombe and Sherborne.
Sherborne station. // Credit: Network Rail
Sherborne station. // Credit: Network Rail

Sunday, 23rd February

  • There will be no direct trains between Salisbury and Exeter.
  • Rail-replacement buses will operate between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction, calling at all stations.

The work on this section of the line follows work last November when the line between and Exeter was closed while Network Rail engineers installed new track through Honiton Tunnel, and engineers replaced track between Tisbury and Sherborne and at Gillingham station.

Yeovil Junction station. // Credit: Network Rail
Yeovil Junction station. // Credit: Network Rail

“While there is never a good time to close the railway, we have worked incredibly hard to minimise the disruption for passengers by limiting the distance of this closure and diverting trains via Westbury. I am, though, sorry for the disruption that passengers who use the West of England Line will face during this closure. This work is vital to ensuring this part of the network is strong for the years to come. Once completed, passengers will benefit from a more reliable journey through the Gillingham area.”

Mark Goodall, Wessex Route Director for Network Rail

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