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Three Devon and Cornwall Branch Lines Stay Shut Pending Dive Checks

Underwater inspections cannot proceed until river levels fall.

Overview

  • Exeter St DavidsBarnstaple, Exeter St DavidsOkehampton, and LiskeardLooe remain closed for safety inspections after flooding from Storm Chandra.
  • Engineers repaired visible track damage but found ballast washouts and need specialist assessments of submerged bridges and viaducts.
  • Network Rail says divers cannot enter because water is too high and fast, and teams are monitoring conditions with weather forecasters.
  • Limited rail-replacement services are running, including an hourly coach between Barnstaple and Exeter St Davids, with some local buses accepting rail tickets.
  • GWR has indicated the Okehampton route is likely to stay closed until Saturday as waters recede, and local reporting suggests other reopenings could follow once inspections are safe.