What is causing the disruption to South Western Railway's train services?

Dry soil conditions along the route have disturbed track levels, leading to speed restrictions and reduced schedules.

How long will the reduced train services from London Waterloo to Devon last?

The amended timetable will be in effect from August 11th until further notice, as the dry conditions are expected to continue.

Which cities and regions are impacted by the South Western Railway service changes?

The reduced services will affect trains from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids in Devon and Yeovil Junction in Somerset.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Dry Soil Forces Reduced Train Services from London to Devon

Dry Soil Forces Reduced Train Services from London to Devon

4 Aug

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Summary

Lack of moisture in clay soil embankments disturbs track levels
Speed limit cut from 85mph to 40mph on 12-mile stretch
Trains from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids reduced to one every two hours

As of August 4th, 2025, South Western Railway (SWR) has been forced to reduce train services from London Waterloo to Devon due to dry soil conditions along the route. The lack of moisture in clay soil embankments has disturbed track levels, preventing trains from safely traveling at full speed.

This year saw the second driest spring on record for England, and summer rainfall has been just below average across the UK. The dry conditions have removed moisture from embankments between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon, causing them to shrink. This has disturbed the track sitting above these embankments, leading SWR to cut the speed limit on a 12-mile stretch from 85mph to 40mph.

As a result, from August 11th until further notice, there will only be one train every two hours from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids, Devon, instead of the usual hourly service. Journey times will be extended by around an hour. Trains from London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction, Somerset, will also see journey times extended by 25 minutes, with one train per hour operating.

SWR has warned that the dry conditions are "set to continue," and further speed restrictions "may be required." Attempting to stabilize the track now would "only provide a short-lived fix as the soil continues to move," the company added.

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