Rail travellers have been warned to allow extra time for journeys as prolonged hot weather forces speed restrictions on “drying out” train tracks.
South Western Railway (SWR) and Network Rail Wessex (NR Wessex) announced a new temporary timetable on Tuesday following record-breaking temperatures in the UK.
According to SWR: “Following record-breaking temperatures and prolonged low rainfall, clay embankments supporting the railway between Salisbury and Exeter are drying out, affecting the stability of the track.”
From 10 August, an amended timetable will run on the West of England line between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids until further notice.
During speed restrictions, fewer services can run due to only six passing loops where trains can pass each other on the single-track.
Trains between Yeovil Junction and Exeter will be reduced to one every two hours until further notice.
Most journeys between Yeovil Junction and London Waterloo will take 13 minutes longer than usual during the temporary timetable.
Connections between Waterloo and Exeter St Davids will take up to 24 minutes longer, with return journeys taking 27 minutes longer than scheduled.
Trains will also run at reduced speeds between Tisbury in Wiltshire and Honiton in Devon, a 60-mile stretch of largely single-track railway which is “particularly vulnerable to drought-like conditions”.
Travellers have been told to check their journeys carefully and allow extra time on affected routes.
Lawrence Bowman, managing director of South Western Railway, said: “The record-breaking heat of the last few months has had a significant impact on railways across the UK, and parts of our route are particularly vulnerable.
“Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, and this is the second year in a row that prolonged hot, dry weather has affected our network.
“Since last summer’s intervention, we’ve invested in strengthening the route, carried out extensive work to the track and embankments, and developed a plan that customers can rely on.
Since summer 2025, SWR have installed 5,000 tonnes of new ballast for stability and removed more than 200 dead trees that could destabilise embankments.
Bowman added: “As a result of that careful planning, we’ve managed to reduce journey times in our amended timetable by around 30 minutes compared to last year, minimising the impact on our customers while also keeping them safe.
“We are sorry for the disruption these changes may cause. We will restore the regular timetable as soon as conditions allow.”
Read more: Why do trains get cancelled in a heatwave?
