Video: Railway between Axminster and Pinhoe reopens after vital landslip prevention work

The railway line between Axminster and Pinhoe has reopened after five days of closure to allow essential work to take place.

The closure allowed engineers to begin landslip prevention work at the Honiton Tunnel, which is one of the most at-risk sites in the south of England.

The section of track leading up to the Honiton Tunnel has many natural springs and a complex geology. As a result, the area has suffered landslips in recent years, one of which was so severe it caused a train to derail in 2001.

During the closure, engineers started to construct two retaining walls of 32 metres and 16 metres in length, which are designed to prevent any landslips where the line runs through a deep "cutting" in the hill leading up to Honiton Tunnel.

The existing drainage systems were improved and construction began on a new system to go with it, which will happen at a later date.

The strengthening of the cutting combined with the improved drainage system will make the line more resilient to extreme weather and heavy rainfall.

In addition to this work, Network Rail used to the opportunity to undertake some work near Feniton and Axminster.

East Devon District Council also used the time to continue its work on a large flood defence project to protect homes from flooding in Feniton. 

Network Rail thanked customers for their patience whilst the work was completed. It meant that there were no trains from Honiton to Exeter and rail replacement buses we in use.

Mark Killick, Network Rail's Wessex route director, said: "We'd like to thank customers for their patience during last week's disruption. We've made good progress that will give our customers a much more reliable railway going forward.

"This is just the start of a long-term programme to make this railway cutting more resilient. There will be some weekend closures where we continue our work, but this five-day closure means there we won't need as many of them.

"It was a challenging five days as our teams found a number of natural springs which made digging out earth and pouring concrete difficult, but they adapted the programme of work to ensure a lot of progress was still made."

Christian Neill, Customer Experience Director for South Western Railway, commented: "I am delighted that Network Rail has made fantastic progress and the line between Axminster and Pinhoe will reopen on time. 

"I would like to thank customers for their understanding as these vital works have been carried out, particularly in the context of wider challenges on the West of England line. 

"These upgrades will boost the reliability and resilience of a vital part of our network, and the progress this past week will prevent the need for as many future closures as the renewal project continues."

Further work will be required in December and there will also be a period of extended line closure next year.