West of England line improvements
We’re investing to improve journeys on the West of England line, between Basingstoke and Exeter St Davids
We’re investing significant amounts of money to improve journeys for our passengers along the West of England Line. Our work will boost the railways reliability and performance and reduce delays caused by infrastructure failings.
Renewing the track at Honiton Tunnel
Between 9 – 22 November engineers replaced the 50-year-old single track through Honiton Tunnel with a mile of new rail, sleepers and ballast stone.
Drainage was also installed to channel the water away from the tunnel to reduce the likelihood of flooding and engineers stabilised the embankments at the mouth of the tunnel to reduce the risk of landslips. We also completed a range of other important work including:
- Laying half a mile of new track between Pinhoe and Feniton
- Finishing off the stabilisation of the recent Cleave Embankment lad slip and cutting back vegetation
- Carefully removing selected dangerous, diseased and dying trees between Honiton and Pinhoe to help keep trains running safely and on time
Why is the work needed?
The existing track is over 50 years old and prone to faults that can cause disruption and delays to services and passengers. The brand-new track will make for smoother, more comfortable and reliable journeys.
Benefits
Our work will boost the railways reliability and performance, past closures have included:
November/December 2023 we:
- Improved drainage along the track by removing wet beds through Crewkerne level crossing
- Upgraded Axe Gates and Broom level crossings, between Axminster and Crewkerne stations
- Completed routine maintenance of Weycroft River Bridge outside Axminster
- Replaced track from Tisbury to Sherborne
- Cleared dangerous vegetation between Tisbury and Sherborne
- Completed level crossing maintenance between Tisbury and Templecombe
- Installed cabling between Tisbury and Sherborne
In 2022 we:
- Renewed the railway running over Perretts Bridge (by Tisbury station), replacing 1226 yards of track, installing 4500 tonnes of new ballast and 1720 concrete sleepers.
- A £5 million project to strengthen the cutting at Honiton tunnel which saw the installation of both a 35 and 15-yard King Post Wall, as well as improving the drainage from the many natural springs in the area.
- Renewed track at Axminster station.
- Refurbished Sherborne and Feniton level crossings.
- Installed new tactile paving at Gillingham and Sherbourne stations.
Get in touch
For more information or to get in touch with us, please visit our contact us page, follow us on X (formally known as Twitter) or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.