HS2

Rail services in the south disrupted due to flooding

Rail passengers in the south and Wales have been warned of disruption as a number of lines were flooded.

Great Western Railway (GWR) services between Liskeard and Looe will be suspended for the rest of the day.

Meanwhile, trains between Swindon and Bristol Parkway are being diverted via an alternative route due to flooding at Chipping Sodbury, adding 40 minutes to journey times.

Passengers have also been warned to expect cancellations or delays of up to 60 minutes because of flooding between Castle Cary and Westbury, while GWR and CrossCountry passengers were warned of delays of up to 40 minutes due to flooding between Taunton and Bristol Temple Meads.

South West passengers were also told that flooding at Whimple is disrupting services between Exeter St David’s and Yeovil Junction.

Trains could be cancelled, delayed by up to 15 minutes or start or terminate at Crewkerne or Yeovil Junction until 18:00.

In addition, Arriva Wales services between Bridgend-Cardiff Central and Barry-Barry Island are expected to be cancelled, amended or replaced by a bus until 9pm.

Unfortunately, today’s incidences could be the first in a string of floods that might take place during winter as the rail network attempts to cope with intense weather. Last year, a series of storms battered all parts of the country – most notably Lamington Viaduct, which nearly collapsed.

(Image c. Network Rail)

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