Network Rail hopes extra maintenance during lockdown will improve services when more passengers travel on railways

It is hoped extra maintenance work carried out on the West Country’s railways during the coronavirus lockdown will help services run more smoothly in the future.

With fewer people travelling by train, Network Rail has been doing extra work, including removing tonnes of earth following a landslip at a section between Yeovil and Gillingham.

The damage caused by heavy rain during a storm in December 2019 meant that after the landslip happened, Network Rail had to impose temporary speed restrictions on trains passing through the area.

The work will finish on 21 June.

Until then, there will be no trains between Yeovil Junction and Gillingham.

The extra work includes general maintenance in the area and to refurbish some of the stations along the route.

Alan Penlington, South Western Railway customer experience director, said: “We recognise these works will be disruptive, but it is vital they go ahead.

"The work Network Rail will carry out will remove damaging speed restrictions from the line, allowing our trains to run at planned speed, helping improve our performance.​"

Further strengthening works to other areas of the cutting at Templecombe will take place between the end of June and September.