Disruption on the trains to and from the South West

Teams from Network Rail have been working overnight to fix problems that have brought much of the region's rail service to a standstill.

Heavy rain has flooded the railway at Cowley Bridge, between Exeter St Davids and Taunton. Trains between these stations are currently unable to run - and that is expected to remain the case all day.

Great Western Railway is advising passengers not to travel unless necessary.

The river rose above the culvert to flood the line at Cowley Bridge Credit: ITV News

Where possible Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and stations in Devon & Cornwall are being diverted via an alternative route where resources are available.

There is currently no firm estimate as to when the line will reopen but it is expected that disruption will continue until at least the end of service today.

This is how services are looking

  • EXETER ST DAVIDS TO TAUNTON

Replacement bus service running on CrossCountry and Great Western Railway between Exeter St Davids and Taunton due to flooding. Tickets are being accepted on South West Trains and local bus services.

  • EXETER ST DAVIDS TO TIVERTON

CrossCountry and Great Western Railway trains are unable to run between Exeter St David's and Tiverton Parkway.

  • LONDON PADDINGTON TO DEVON AND CORNWALL

Where possible, GWR and CrossCountry trains between London Paddington and stations in Devon and Cornwall will be diverted via an alternative route.

  • EXETER ST DAVIDS TO BARNSTAPLE

No trains between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple until the end of Wednesday 23 November due to flooding.

Limited replacement bus service on Great Western Railway between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple due to flooding. Tickets being accepted on local bus routes.

  • LISKEARD TO LOOE IN CORNWALL

Buses replace trains on GWR between Liskeard and Looe until the end of Wednesday 23 November due to flooding.

One of the fleet of replacement buses brought in to tackle the problems Credit: ITV News