North Devon students struggle to get home as tree on line sees trains cancelled
A tree on the line between Barnstaple and Exeter has led to multiple cancellations, with the earliest possible train now 4.45pm but train tickets are being accepted on Stagecoach buses
A fallen tree on the Tarka Line between Exeter and Barnstaple has seen trains cancelled throughout the day, with reports Exeter College students are now struggling to get home to North Devon.
Great Western Railway (GWR) said in a statement a large tree had fallen on the line at Crediton and needed specialist teams to move it safely.
The company said the line will stay closed until at least 4.45pm while the tree was cleared. All trains to and from Barnstaple and Exeter St Davids are cancelled until at least then.
According to National Rail, train tickets are being accepted on the Stagecoach 5B bus between Exeter and Barnstaple, which calls at Exeter St Davids.
The 5B goes via Copplestone, Winkleigh, Torrington and Bideford and takes around two hours 15 minutes from St Davids to Barnstaple, which is more than double the train time.
Stagecoach has flagged a reduced evening service from 7pm tonight because of an A377 road closure.
Social media posts from worried parents had suggested college students were ‘stranded’ in Exeter, with others responding that staff at St Davids Station were arranging taxis for many of them.
The Gazette understands GWR had requested a replacement bus service but there was limited availability.
Exeter College students heading home to North Devon can walk approximately 10 minutes from the Hele Road campus to Exeter St Davids station and catch Stagecoach’s 5B from Stop B. Rail tickets are being accepted. The next buses leave at 4.58pm and 6.02pm.
The North Devon Gazette has asked GWR if it can confirm if taxis are being provided for stranded passengers.