Train services resume on Tarka line between Barnstaple and Exeter

Train services between Barnstaple and Exeter St. David’s have resumed this morning following a five- week line closure.

Services on the Tarka Line were stopped in December due to heavy rain which caused flooding along several sections of the track.

Last week, the line reopened between Exeter St David’s and Crediton after engineering work was carried out at Cowley Bridge to clear severe flooding.

However, the line between Crediton and Barnstaple remained closed while specialist divers inspected a number of bridges on the line.

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The last two bridges to be inspected, the Umberleigh River Viaduct and the Black Viaduct at Great Fisherton Farm, were checked over the weekend and deemed safe.

Chris Denham, of Network Rail, said: “The best way to check the bridges is to use divers so they can get down under the water and see if the flooding or debris has caused any damage to the foundations of the bridge’s piers.

“We do apologise for any disruption that people have endured on the Tarka Line.”

All services have now resumed on the Tarka line, although temporary 20mph speed restrictions have been put in place at the Portsmouth Arms and Chapelton areas, adding four minutes to journeys.

Network Rail said a revised First Great Western timetable will operate to allow for the time increase.