The West of England line will close between Yeovil Junction in Somerset and Axminster in Devon for five days starting next week, as Network Rail works on upgrades.

The closure, which will run from Monday 6 to Friday 10 November, will be followed by a sixteen-day closure between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction in late November. Network Rail announced the two-part closure earlier this month.

During next week’s closure, engineers will work day and night at four different worksites as part of a project to improve the reliability and performance of services along the along the Line. Network Rail is investing half a million pound in the project.

The work includes:

• stabilising the cutting at the 200-metre-long Crewkerne tunnel following a landslip in October 2021; drilling specialist six-metre-long soil nails into the earth just outside the tunnel entrance; installing new drainage to help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall
• replacing the barriers at Broom and Axe level crossing
• painting Weycroft River Bridge with a protective, anti-corrosion paint
• removing wet beds (areas of waterlogged track stones that cause train rides to be rough) at Crewkerne level crossing.

Mark Killick, Network Rail’s Wessex route director, 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.

“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.”

An SWR spokesperson, 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 November, 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.

“Rail replacement bus services will be in place for customers travelling to Tisbury, Gillingham, Sherborne and Templecombe. Customers are also advised that services between London Waterloo and Salisbury, Basingstoke and Salisbury, Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids, and Reading and Salisbury, will all be altered over these 16 days.

“We appreciate our customers’ patience and advise them to check before travelling at southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey.”