Storm Austen closes Tarka Line for ‘rest of the day into tomorrow’
The Barnstaple to Exeter line will likely be closed for the rest of today and possibly into Saturday (October 24) with more bad weather forecast
No trains will be running from Barnstaple to Exeter for the rest of today (Friday, October 23) and possibly into Saturday too.
Due to a large fallen tree on the line at Crediton brought down by Storm Austen, Great Western Railway (GWR) has been forced to cancel services between North Devon and Exeter throughout the day.
The National Rail website now shows every train from Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple cancelled until at least 8.23pm today, including the 5.19pm, 6.21pm and 7.22pm. The 5.33pm from Barnstaple to Exeter has also been cancelled.
A statement from GWR shared on the Tarka Line friends and groups Facebook page by the page admin said: “It is likely the Barnstaple line will remain suspended for the rest of the day and with more bad weather forecast possibly into tomorrow.
“Road transport has been requested but has been difficult to source enough.”
It said rail tickets would be accepted on Stagecoach bus services, with those travelling to Barnstaple from Exeter able to use the 5B bus, which stops at Exeter St Davids Station.
People travelling to Lapford or Chulmleigh can use the 5C. Those going to Newton St Cyres, Crediton or Copplestone can use the 5, 5A, 5B and 5C services.
Otherwise, any passengers still stuck in Exeter were advised to make their way to the St Davids duty manager’s office on Platform 1 for road transport options. This is likely to be via taxis but it warned there could potentially be very long waiting times.
It concluded: “We're sorry for the inconvenience caused, however Storm Austen has brought multiple trees down on the line throughout the day, which are taking a long time to clear, some of which have required specialist equipment to remove very large trees.”