Warrington to Honiton

[piccadilly]

I cannot seem to find much information on this.

I wish to travel from Warrington to Honiton tomorrow 22nd November - but a friend has just phoned me to say Honiton station is closed?

Is this the case?

Kind Regards,

 

[yorkie]

I cannot seem to find much information on this.

I wish to travel from Warrington to Honiton tomorrow 22nd November - but a friend has just phoned me to say Honiton station is closed?

Is this the case?

Kind Regards,

No; you can book a journey to Honiton:


(Screenshot shows various itineraries available using Trainsplit for a journey from Warrington to Honiton on 22/11/22)

There may be delays on this route, but if you are delayed by a qualifying period of time (15 minutes if the delay is caused by SWR) you will be entitled to claim Delay Repay compensation.

 

[fgwrich]

No; you can book a journey to Honiton:

View attachment 124117
(Screenshot shows various itineraries available using Trainsplit for a journey from Warrington to Honiton on 22/11/22)

There may be delays on this route, but if you are delayed by a qualifying period of time (15 minutes if the delay is caused by SWR) you will be entitled to claim Delay Repay compensation.

Journeys should still be bookable, but Honition may still be impacted due to this afternoons landslip close to Honiton Tunnel. Thankfully it doesn't look too serious, so may be re-opened tonight with a temporary speed restriction.

 

[yorkie]

The key point is that if you buy a ticket to Honiton, you will be transported to Honiton. It may be that the journey involves road transport and/or is subject to delay.

If you want to make the journey, I would advise booking it now. If any train which is part of the booking is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel, you can claim a full refund on that basis. If you do choose to travel, you will be conveyed to Honiton, albeit potentially with a delay.

 

[Three-Nine]

There was a landslip at Honiton tunnel earlier this morning (21st November). The latest information is that the line between Honiton and Axminster will remain closed until at least early afternoon on the 22nd November. Currently the closest you can get to Honiton is Axminster; because of the closure services are unable to get to Exeter to form return workings so theres currently no service between Exeter, Honiton and Axminster.

Replacement road transport has been difficult to arrange, so don't necessarily rely on it being available.

There is a Stagecoach bus service between Axminster and Honiton but the service frequency was recently reduced and there can be long gaps between buses (2 hours or more).

 

[yorkie]

If SWR were completely unable to provide any alternative transport to Honiton, you would be entitled to claim back any costs incurred in reaching Honiton by arranging your own transport, but that would be an absolute last resort and it really shouldn't come to that. SWR are obliged to provide alternative transport, but of course you do risk a delay.

If you wish to avoid a potential delay you could put the journey off until the situation becomes clearer.

 

[piccadilly]

Thanks - I already have an open return and tomorrow is the return journey.

If the Honiton line is closed would I be allowed to use my ticket to Exmouth? - or would I be required to buy a single from Exeter to Exmouth?

Thank You.

 

[yorkie]

Thanks - I already have an open return and tomorrow is the return journey.

If the Honiton line is closed would I be allowed to use my ticket to Exmouth? - or would I be required to buy a single from Exeter to Exmouth?

Thank You.

I'd tweet both SWR / GWR asking that question. If you don't get a positive answer, you could ask the Guard prior to departure and if they say no, simply buy a ticket there and then.

 

[piccadilly]

Yorkie,

Thanks - I think this may be the best solution - the ticket won’t be very much - and will save the hassle.

Normally I travel with a 94 year old disabled person so wouldn’t risk it - but travelling alone tomorrow so should be ok.

Kind Regards,

 

[piccadilly]

This forum gives me confidence to travel and I have used it many times over the years.

Could somebody tell me how to post a thanks!

 

[yorkie]

Yorkie,

Thanks - I think this may be the best solution - the ticket won’t be very much - and will save the hassle.

Normally I travel with a 94 year old disabled person so wouldn’t risk it - but travelling alone tomorrow so should be ok.

Kind Regards,

Just to confirm it is £5.40 and if the Guard requires you to buy a ticket, you can buy it from them if they are happy to sell it, or alternatively you can simply purchase an e-ticket (no need to go through the barrier to the ticket office and back through again).

Most (though not all) trains to Exmouth come from Paignton and spend some time reversing at St Davids, so you should have time to ask the Guard prior to departure.

This forum gives me confidence to travel and I have used it many times over the years.

Could somebody tell me how to post a thanks!

You just have, and you are very welcome

 

[Class800]

The key point is that if you buy a ticket to Honiton, you will be transported to Honiton. It may be that the journey involves road transport and/or is subject to delay.

If you want to make the journey, I would advise booking it now. If any train which is part of the booking is delayed or cancelled and you choose not to travel, you can claim a full refund on that basis. If you do choose to travel, you will be conveyed to Honiton, albeit potentially with a delay.

Currently SWR are unable to provide road transport between Exeter and Honiton, but say they will reimburse taxis if customers can organise a taxi and get a receipt. Situation may change by morning.

 

[yorkie]

Currently SWR are unable to provide road transport between Exeter and Honiton, but say they will reimburse taxis if customers can organise a taxi and get a receipt. Situation may change by morning.

That's good to hear, thanks for confirming.

 

[Class800]

That's good to hear, thanks for confirming.

Source of information was: https://www.journeycheck.com/swr/ at current time 21.25. In practice, very easy from Exeter as there's Apple Cars right outside St Davids. But from Axminster or Honiton it's trickier, need to phone a cab ahead.

 

[swt_passenger]

That's good to hear, thanks for confirming.

They were pretty quick with the decision as well, I think it was already on NRES about 1130 on the 21st when I checked.

 

[Class800]

@piccadilly it is confirmed no services today to Honiton (except one morning peak shuttle). Customers authorised to book a taxi and claim with receipt from SWR customer services. If you want to do this, alight at Exeter St Davids and go outside and the Apple taxi office is on the right. Or call them ahead.

 

[piccadilly]

Thank you this is very helpful - I’ll try and book ahead as no doubt the taxi company will be very busy.

 

[Class800]

But they are very large - ideal to book ahead though. In the very unlikely event of any issues with SWR issuing the refund for taxi fare, the authorisation can also be found archived on Twitter. SWR's email is online. Just need a receipt. Taxis in Devon are rarely equipped for card payment so bring enough cash for a Honiton fare, it's probably £30 ish.

 

[piccadilly]

Thank you.

On my arrival at Exeter,the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

Their advice was to catch the train to Exeter Central and the train to Honiton would depart from there.

I don’t know how this worked because I thought it was the the same line.But who am I!

However I had arranged to travel to Exmouth and the train manager readily endorsed my ticket allowing me to do this.

I make the journey from Devon the Warrington about every 6 weeks some times with a disabled person (in a wheelchair) - and I think the Exmouth route is better.

I am grateful for the advice given by this forum.

 

[Class800]

Unexpectedly the line re opened this afternoon after SWR had said it would not do so today. Trains were terminating at Exeter Central due to delays caused by a speed restriction in the affected tunnel near Honiton

 

[piccadilly]

Yes I can see the logic in this now you have pointed it out!

The Exmouth to EXSD seems a shorter journey— and Exmouth is more convenient than Honiton fior me so I will try this route in future.Should be ok with a wheelchair but I will check this first.

Kind Regards,

 

[yorkie]

Thank you.

On my arrival at Exeter,the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

Their advice was to catch the train to Exeter Central and the train to Honiton would depart from there.

I don’t know how this worked because I thought it was the the same line.But who am I!

However I had arranged to travel to Exmouth and the train manager readily endorsed my ticket allowing me to do this.

I make the journey from Devon the Warrington about every 6 weeks some times with a disabled person (in a wheelchair) - and I think the Exmouth route is better.

I am grateful for the advice given by this forum.

Great to hear the staff were helpful and the Guard was happy to allow you to travel to Exmouth.

As for advising catching a train to Central, yes it's the same line but trains can be turned back early; indeed today this did happen, as the 1530 from Central started there (nearly an hour late) and was cancelled from St Davids.

 

[Class800]

@piccadilly I know Exmouth station. I'd say its fairly wheelchair accessible for a small local station. It's step free. But some areas of the station are a bit narrow, so there may be some give and take to get through. Thankfully it's a terminus so if you're in good time, but not early enough to conflict with alighting passengers from the previous train. There is a side gate direct from carpark where there's one disabled space officially - but I'm not sure if side gate is in use during staffed hours

 

[piccadilly]

Class800,

Thank you - you know the area well!

I will try one run with the wheelchair from Exmouth and see how I go - I do take your point about some areas being narrow and the station was very busy - but actually more convenient for me than Honiton.

I often travel to Exmouth via Otterton and pass an old station now a house I think - I often wonder where the line ran to and from - probably many years ago.

 

[30907]

I often travel to Exmouth via Otterton and pass an old station now a house I think - I often wonder where the line ran to and from - probably many years ago.

The route was Sidmouth Jn (Feniton) - Ottery - Tipton SJ - Sidmouth and Tipton - Budleigh - Littleham - Exmouth. Sidmouth was very steeply graded and IIRC the station was at the back of town.

 

[piccadilly]

I know Sidmouth station but presumably Otterton was the next stop after Sidmouth - I just can’t envisage the route from Sidmouth to Otterton - must have been very scenic.

I have cycled from Budleigh to Exmouth along the old rail route.

 

[piccadilly]

I was due to make this journey next week (w/c 9th January) - I will be taking a disabled person in a wheelchair - I am reluctant to take any risks.My preferred travel dates are for the week stated - but in view of the recent strike action do you think it better to delay the journey until things are resolved?

My instinct is to delay - but another opinion would be helpful!

Kind Regards,

 

[Class800]

It just comes down to personal preference. I would agree with delaying, but then I am naturally cautious.

 

[piccadilly]

Yes this is my preference.I am not sure how easy travel would be - the day after strike action.

 

[30907]

Yes this is my preference.I am not sure how easy travel would be - the day after strike action.

Not so much a "day after strike" issue (if you travel on Sunday 9 services should be OK by mid morning) but the general issues that Avanti have been having regarding staffing.

To be fair, though, last Thursday (the last day a normal service ran), there were only two cancellations on those routes all day, so I would expect weekdays to be reasonably OK. Ironically, the Birmingham-Exeter section would have been more of a problem.

Am I right that your route is Warrington-Birmingham-Exeter-Exmouth or Honiton, or do you travel via London with a taxi across town?