Flooding Forces Rail Closures Across Devon and Cornwall Into Next Week

Rail passengers across Devon and Cornwall are being warned to expect ongoing disruption into early next week as flooding from Storm Chandra continues to affect key parts of the rail network.

Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) said heavy rainfall has left several routes impassable, with further yellow weather warnings for rain in place until Saturday morning, 31 January. As a result, a number of lines are expected to remain closed at least until the early part of next week, from Monday 2 February.

The routes affected are Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple, Exeter St Davids to Okehampton via Crediton, Liskeard to Looe, and Par to Newquay. While bus replacement services are running on the Liskeard to Looe and Par to Newquay branches, passengers are being urged to check before travelling. Poor road conditions mean no replacement buses can operate on the Exeter to Barnstaple or Okehampton routes, and customers are being advised not to travel.

Engineers inspecting the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines have identified multiple locations where floodwater has washed away ballast, the stone foundation that supports the track. Network Rail said trains cannot safely resume until these sections are rebuilt using fresh ballast, which must then be compacted to provide a stable base.

In addition, specialist underwater inspections are required before services can restart. Divers will need to examine structures such as bridges and viaducts along the affected routes to ensure they have not been damaged by fast-flowing water. These checks can only take place once water levels have dropped sufficiently to allow safe access.

With further heavy rain forecast into Saturday morning, Network Rail said the conditions could delay both inspections and repair work, affecting how quickly the lines can reopen.

Simon Gillibrand, Network Rail’s Western route operations director, said:

“Travel in Devon and Cornwall will continue to be disrupted into the first week of February because of the widespread flooding in the region following back-to-back storms. Four lines remain closed and are not expected to open until the early part of next week, however with more rain on the way we will have to continue monitoring water levels before full inspections of these lines can be completed. We’re really sorry for the disruption this is causing for passengers. Our teams are on the ground around the clock, working as quickly as we safely can to repair the storm damage so we can reopen these routes as soon as we can. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding. Please continue to check before travelling for the latest updates.”

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said:

"If you've been travelling with us and affected by this continuing disruption due to the storms, I'd like to apologise. We do hope to get services up and running as quickly as possible. The storms have however caused some damage to the railway infrastructure and some of which, such as these vital branch lines, continue to be under water. We need the water levels to subside before our friends at Network Rail can check the tracks and make any repairs as necessary. Until then we will keep you moving on road replacement transport where we can.”

Image: Network Rail