Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the delays and reduced passenger services on the rail line from Exeter to Salisbury, and what action Network Rail is taking to remedy the situation and reinstate the original timetable.

Delays and reduced passenger services have been caused by ‘soil moisture deficit’, shrinking the clay embankments the rail line from Salisbury to Exeter is built on. This requires speed restrictions, leading to extended journey times and the need for an amended timetable to accommodate. South Western Railway and Network Rail continue to monitor soil moisture levels, track conditions and train performance, and provide regular updates to the Department. We are assured by South Western Railway and Network Rail that usual services will be reinstated as soon as it is safe to do so.