Passengers in south west England are facing more disruption today, because the lines between Exeter, Okehampton and Barnstaple are still closed after the recent storms, although rail replacement services are now running.

Network Rail said work to restore ballast which had been washed away should be completed later today, but divers will then need to check bridges and viaducts in case any structures have been damaged below the waterline.

Trains have returned to the Newquay line in Cornwall after flooding near Luxulyan, but there is still no service to Looe as work continues to repair flood damage. Again, rail replacement services are running.

However, further problems could be caused by more bad weather in the region. Forecasters have issued a yellow warning of rain from midday today, with strong winds in places.

Daryn McCombe is director of performance and train service delivery for GWR and director of network operations at Network Rail Western. He said: ‘Travel in Devon and Cornwall will continue to be disrupted into the first week of February as we work to repair storm damage. We’re really sorry for the disruption this is causing for passengers.

‘We’ve been able to inspect and reopen the Newquay branch line, however it’s essential to continue checking before you travel as further heavy rain is expected in the area tomorrow.

‘Our work to repair the damage on the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines is progressing well. Before we can reopen these lines once this work is complete, we will need to carry out safety inspections, including with the use of divers who assess whether the force of the water has caused any scour damage to bridges.

‘While these lines have been shut, we’ve been able to carry out other essential work to ensure that we’re making the most of the closure, including removing dangerous trees and completing other safety‑critical tasks. Please continue to check before travelling for the latest updates.’

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