South Western Railway (SWR) has advised passengers that it will not be running trains between Yeovil Junction in Somerset and Exeter St David’s in Devon this Sunday (3 December).

The operator will not be able to run any trains beyond Yeovil Junction due to a combination of industrial action and ongoing engineering work.

As a result of the engineering work, which will finish on the following Sunday (10 December), SWR had already planned to divert trains via Westbury in Somerset, and to provide a rail replacement bus service between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction.

Train drivers’ union ASLEF has called an overtime ban from Friday 1 to Saturday 9 December, and because SWR relies on drivers working overtime to run a service on Sundays, it will not be able to provide a service beyond Yeovil Junction this Sunday.

SWR will not be providing a bus service to replace trains cancelled due to the industrial action.

The operator will update its journey planner on Saturday 2 December, and is urging passengers to check before travelling.

Passengers who have already bought tickets for travel on Sunday 3 can either claim a refund or use the tickets to travel between Friday 1 December and Tuesday 12 December.

Industrial action is also taking place on the Great Western Railway network, with no trains running between London Paddington and Exeter St David’s. More information can be found here.

Steve Tyler, South Western Railway’s Performance and Planning Director, said: “We’re very sorry to say that we will not be able to serve stations between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St David’s on Sunday 3 December.

“Unfortunately, it will not be possible to provide a service for stations beyond Yeovil Junction, as we are being restricted by both industrial action and ongoing engineering work.

“Once again, we’re very sorry for the disruption that this will cause, especially at such short notice. Customers intending to travel on the West of England Line should check their journeys before setting off, with journey planners up to date on Saturday 2.”