Rail journeys to be affected by engineering work in South Devon

Train services will be impacted between Exeter St David’s and Plymouth on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March, and between Totnes and Plymouth from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 March.

On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March:

• Trains will still run between London Paddington/Bristol Temple Meads and Exeter St David’s, between Plymouth and Penzance, plus between Newton Abbot and Paignton
• Replacement buses will run between Tiverton Parkway/Exeter St David’s and Plymouth, plus between Exeter St David’s and Newton Abbot

Train services will be impacted between Totnes and Plymouth up to 2140 from Monday 18 to Thursday 21 March:

• Trains will run between London Paddington and Totnes up to 2140, then between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids after 2140
• Trains will run between Exeter St Davids and Paignton up to 2140, then between Newton Abbot and Paignton after 2140
• Trains will still run between Plymouth and Penzance
• Additional train services will also run between Exeter St Davids and Totnes up to 2140
• Replacement buses will run between Totnes and Plymouth, then between Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot/Plymouth after 2140
• Replacement buses will run non-stop between Tiverton Parkway and Plymouth all day

Stephanie Chapman, GWR Station Manager for South Devon, said: “These works form part of a programme of rail improvements and maintenance, helping to ensure that we can continue to provide consistent and reliable services.

“We advise anyone travelling to Plymouth or onwards to Cornwall to change at Tiverton Parkway for replacement buses running non-stop to Plymouth.

“In addition, when trains are running to or from Totnes, all train services will use Platform 2 – the London-bound platform.

“This means that customers will need to use the footbridge or lifts for replacement buses, which will pick-up or drop-off alongside Platform 1.

“These alternative travel arrangements will make journey times longer, so please check before you travel during these dates.”

Network Rail sponsor Paul Collyer said: “This is the final chapter of our programme to bring a new system of signals to the region.

“There is never a good time to close the railway but we need to do this so our teams can work round the clock as safely and efficiently as possible. We’d like to thank our passengers for their patience and urge them to check before they travel.

“The new technology will improve reliability in the region and unlock future development of the railway in the area, including the new Mid Cornwall Metro scheme."

Customers using Tiverton Parkway should also be aware there will a significant reduction in parking available at the station to allow the rail replacement services to run.

All parking will be suspended at the front of the station from Monday 11 to Friday 22 March and a number of spaces will also be suspended in the main station car park.

Those travelling from further afield should also note that there will be reduced parking at Castle Cary station, and access to the new car park off Station Road will be closed from Friday 22 March until Monday 8 April to allow for the completion of works.

For the latest information, visit GWR.com/SouthWestUpgrade.