THE TRAIN line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction is going to be closed for 16 days later this year. 

The line between between Yeovil Junction and Axminster will be closed for five days between Monday, November 6 to Friday,  November 10 and the second closure between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction will take place from Saturday, November 25 to Sunday, December 10. 

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Network Rail’s Wessex route director, Mark Killick, said: “Over the past three years, we’ve worked really hard to improve the reliability and resilience of the West of England line by strengthening the cuttings and renewing old worn-out sections of track.

“Next month, this two-part closure will enable our engineers to continue these important upgrades as part of our continued programme of investment on this line. I fully recognise that every time we close the railway it is disruptive for our customers, and we always work hard to find the time when it inconveniences the least number of people."

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Engineers will be working around the clock to complete key upgrades at four different worksites and upgrades are part of a wider half a million-pound investment to improve reliability and performance along the line.

He added: "These upgrades are crucial for the safe and reliable running of services on the West of England line in the future and I’m grateful to customers for their patience and understanding during this time.”

Work will take place at Crewkerne Tunnel where engineers will attempt to stabilise the cutting following a landslip in October 2021. There will be an installation of new drainage to help to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall.

Additional work will take place with the replacement of the barriers at the Broom and Axe level crossing, and the Weycroft River Bridge will have protective, anti-corrosion paint work. Areas of waterlogged track stones will be removed.   

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A spokesperson for South Western Railway (SWR) said: “The closures on the West of England Line in November and December will allow Network Rail to carry out vital maintenance and keep trains running long into the future.

“Between Monday 6 and Friday 10 October, rail replacement bus services will operate between Yeovil Junction and Axminster, with a revised train service from Axminster to Exeter St Davids. While the line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction will be closed between Saturday 25 November and Sunday 10 December, customers will still be able to travel on our services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids, as services will be diverted via Westbury.”

SWR confirmed that there will be replacement bus services for passengers travelling to Tisbury, Gillingham, Sherborne and Templecombe.

Customers are advised to check their journey prior to travelling as services between London Waterloo and Salisbury, Basingstoke, and Salisbury, Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids, and Reading and Salisbury will be affected over the 16 days of closure.