**Severe Dry Conditions Lead to Train Service Cuts Due to Soil Instability**
Train services between London and the West Country have been dramatically reduced due to an unusual and pressing problem: parched soil. South Western Railway (SWR) has announced significant timetable changes after track safety concerns arose from embankments suffering from a lack of moisture, causing the ground beneath the tracks to shrink and disrupt the rail infrastructure.
This situation follows one of England’s driest springs in recorded history, compounded by a below-average level of summer rain across much of the UK. Such weather patterns have resulted in the clay-based embankments, particularly between Gillingham in Dorset and Axminster in Devon, losing vital moisture. The drying out of these clay soils has contributed to the embankments shrinking, which in turn has disturbed the tracks that rely on their stability for safe operation.
Due to the unstable conditions, speed restrictions have been imposed on a 12-mile stretch of railway, with the maximum permitted speed having been slashed from 85mph to just 40mph. South Western Railway officials said this decision is necessary to uphold passenger safety, as running trains at regular speeds is no longer viable until the ground conditions stabilise.
Starting from 11 August, services from London Waterloo to Exeter St Davids will be halved, dropping from one train per hour to one every two hours. Furthermore, the journey is expected to take about an hour longer than usual. The line from London Waterloo to Yeovil Junction is also affected, though service frequency remains hourly; passengers on this route will need to allow an extra 25 minutes for their journeys.
SWR has warned that with the current spell of dry weather set to persist, there is a possibility of further speed restrictions being necessary if conditions deteriorate further. Track stabilisation attempts, the company says, would only be temporary fixes without sustained changes in the weather, with the ground likely to keep shifting as long as the clay remains dehydrated.
Stuart Meek, SWR’s chief operating officer, commented: “We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience these changes will bring. The West of England line is a vital connection for many, and this decision wasn’t made lightly. We’re fully aware of how disruptive this will be, especially for passengers travelling beyond Yeovil.” He continued, “Safety and reliability are our top priorities. As such, alongside Network Rail, we are monitoring train and track performance closely to restore normal service as quickly as possible.” Meek also encouraged travellers to consult the SWR website and prepare for potential delays when planning their journeys.
From the infrastructure perspective, Tom Desmond, operations director at Network Rail, echoed these concerns: “Our foremost consideration has to be passenger safety, which is why the speed reductions between Gillingham and Axminster are essential.” Desmond explained that detailed ground and track studies were conducted before implementing the restriction and that giving passengers adequate notice for the upcoming changes was paramount. He added, “We are working collaboratively with SWR to ensure that conditions are frequently reviewed and that services can return to normal as soon as the situation allows.”
The revised timetable does bring some good news for Crewkerne in Somerset, where regular train services will be reinstated after several weeks of replacement bus services, a measure initially put in place due to similarly affected embankments. This, however, does little to ease the broader disruption experienced along the line.
It is worth noting that SWR made history recently by becoming the first train operator to be brought into public ownership following the Labour Government’s move in May. This development has placed additional scrutiny on the operator’s ability to deliver services smoothly, particularly as infrastructure challenges such as these emerge.
Commentators suggest this scenario highlights the profound effects of weather extremes, with droughts presenting equally significant logistical and safety concerns as heavy rainfall or flooding. While efforts continue to adapt to shifting climate conditions, rail infrastructure appears as vulnerable to prolonged dry spells as it is to storms and deluges.
As the railway industry faces yet another test of resilience, passengers are advised to check live service updates before travelling and expect longer journey times until the embankments can be safely restored to their normal condition. With the British summer far from predictable, the duration of these disruptions remains uncertain.