SERUG have just emailed their member to inform then of the restoration of the normal timetable will take place from Monday 14 November.
NR» Southern Region have also announvpced closure dates for engineering improvements
NETWORK RAIL SOUTHERN REGION
WEST OF ENGLAND LINE
26 October 2022
Dear Stakeholders
_Lifting speed restrictions on the West of England line _
As you will be aware, speed restrictions of 40mph were brought in this
summer at locations near Tisbury, Gillingham and Axminster, as the
clay-based track bed shrank in the record-breaking hot and dry summer,
leaving the rails uneven and too bumpy for trains to run at full speed.
This caused significant disruption to services in August and required
the introduction of a new temporary timetable between Salisbury and
Exeter from early September.
The cause of the speed restrictions on the line is known as Soil
Moisture Deficit and is caused by largely clay-based soils shrinking in
hot and dry conditions as trees and other vegetation soaks the water
from them. They shrink unevenly, meaning track laid on top loses its
level profile.
Engineers have made good progress in restoring the track levels, helped
by cooler temperatures and regular rain which has stopped the track bed
shrinking. We are now in a position to lift the majority of the speed
restrictions which were imposed, and as a result, South Western Railway
(SWR» ) plans to restore the regular timetable on the West of England line
from Monday 14 November.
We would like to thank all our stakeholders and passengers for their
patience throughout this period.
Looking Ahead
We wanted to take this opportunity to give you advance notice of a
series of upcoming engineering works within the next 18 months to
improve the railway on the West of England line. Firstly, a nine-day
closure between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction between 10th and 18th
December will allow us to replace track in the Gillingham area.
Making the most of the closure, our engineers will also carry out
station improvements at Gillingham and Sherborne; improve drainage in
the Sherborne, Templecombe and Gillingham areas; perform track
maintenance in the Gillingham and Sherborne areas; and remove graffiti
and clear litter from the line at Salisbury.
Further closures are planned in November/December 2023 and March 2024,
with the Axminster, Crewkerne, Templecombe and Gillingham areas all set
to see improvement works.
We will continue keep stakeholders updated on these works, along with
the associated journey information together with our colleagues at SWR.
Kind regards
Southern Region Stakeholder Team