Rail chaos as Storm Bert leaves lines blocked and trains cancelled

Rail services across the South West have been severely disrupted by Storm Bert. Lines are closed - some by fallen trees - and trains have been cancelled.

The track between Crediton and Okehampton is closed and there are no trains running between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton until tomorrow. A fallen tree has blocked the railway between St Germans and Menheniot with disruption expected until 11.15am today. It also means that all services between Plymouth and Penzance could be delayed.

A GWR spokesperson said: “One of our trains has stopped after finding a tree across the railway line between St Germans and Menheniot, blocking the line in both directions. The Driver is seeing if it is possible to remove any of the tree. Network Rail are arranging specialist staff to head to site to assist in clearing the tree.”

Another fallen tree has blocked the track between Exeter St Davids and Barnataple with disruption expected until at least 11am. But it could mean that all services between Exeter and Barnstaple may be cancelled.

And the line between Westbury and Weymouth is also blocked by a tree which has come down. Trains running between these stations are cancelled, and disruption is expected until 2.24pm.

A GWR spokesperson apologised to customers for all the cancellations and disruption. The spokesperson said: “We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.”

The spokesperson explained that heavy snow fell in the area between Crediton and Okehampton on Thursday causing a number of trees to collapse onto the railway. Network Rail is working to clear these trees and inspect the line for any damage.

This work is expected to last into the weekend, and the spokesperson said: “We are not expecting to run trains on the line until Monday,November 25.”

Replacement coaches are running between between Okehampton, in front of the station, and Exeter St David's at 11.25am, 12.25am, 1.25pm, 2.25pm, 3.25pm, 4.25pm, 5.25pm, 6.35pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm and 10.05pm.

The journey by road takes about 40 to 45 minutes. These coaches will not call at Crediton or Newton St Cyres. The spokesperson said: “If you are at Okehampton and wish to travel to Crediton or Newton St Cyres, please board the replacement coach to Exeter St David's and change there for Barnstaple bound train services which call at those stations.”

From Exeter St David's coaches to Okehampton will leave from the front of the station at 11.40am, 12.40am, 1.40pm, 2.40pm, 3.40pm, 4.40pm, 5.45pm, 6.50pm, 7.50pm and 9.25pm. The journey by road takes about 40 to 45 minutes. These coaches will not call at Crediton or Newton St Cyres. The spokesperson said: “If you are at Crediton or Newton St Cyres wishing to travel to Okehampton please travel on an Exeter Central bound service, change at Exeter St David's and take the replacement coaches from there.”