Why does my Clapham Junction to Honiton journey now take longer?

[mapparium]

Hi. When I booked my ticket from Clapham Junction to Honiton on 31 August for travel on 27 October the train was due to leave Clapham Junction at 10.37 and arrive in Honiton at 13.15. The same departure time will now arrive in Honiton at 14.00 (with a similar additional 40/45 mins for the return). As far as I can see, it will make the same number of stops (11) en route. Can anyone shed light on this, please?

 

[jfollows]

From https://www.southwesternrailway.com/plan-my-journey/west-of-england-changes

Last updated: 3 September 2025

Due to temporary speed restrictions between Gillingham and Axminster, an amended timetable is in place for services between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids.

As of Monday 11 August, one train is running every two hours between London Waterloo and Exeter St Davids. This is reduced from one train per hour, and journeys are taking approximately one hour longer than usual between Templecombe and Exeter St Davids.

Train services between London Waterloo and Yeovil Junction are also taking approximately 25 minutes longer than usual between Tisbury and Yeovil Junction.

Train services between London Waterloo and Salisbury are running as normal.

These timetables will run until further notice.

Why are you making these timetable changes?​

We are experiencing some of the driest conditions for around 200 years, and across long stretches of track between Gillingham and Axminster, this has dried out and shrunk the clay soil embankments that support our tracks. This is a problem known as ‘soil moisture deficit’, which Network Rail explains here.

Because track levels have been disturbed, our trains cannot travel safely at their normal speeds. Most of the route west of Salisbury is made of single track, with only a small number of places for trains travelling in opposite directions to pass each other.

With speed restrictions stretching over 12 miles, trains are not able to pass each other at their allotted times, and so it is not possible to run services to the normal timetable.

Our amended timetables have been designed to provide customers with a reliable service until the speed restrictions can be removed. Please find the current amended timetable here.

When will the normal timetables be restored?​

These timetable changes will be in place until further notice.

Dry conditions are set to continue, so it is possible further speed restrictions will be required. Attempting to stabilise the track now would only provide a short-lived fix, as the soil continues to move.

Once soil moisture levels improve and the ground begins to rehydrate and settle, engineers will carry out lasting repairs to stabilise the embankments and restore track levels, allowing the normal timetable to return.

Your train is at 10:27 I believe.

 

[mapparium]

thank you! I did think I’d checked Southwestern Railway’s site but clearly didn’t find the piece you forwarded. Many thanks for that.