A fault with the signalling system between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids means all lines are blocked. As a result, trains running between these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes or revised.

This is expected until 20:00.

What South Western Railway are doing about it:

South Western Railay have been informed of multiple axle counter failures between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids. This means that all lines are blocked and trains are unable to run between these stations.

To assist you with your journey your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost to yourself, on the following services:

• Great Western Railway services between London Paddington and Exeter St Davids (in both directions)
• Great Western Railway services between Reading and Basingstoke (in both directions)
• Great Western Railway services between Westbury and Salisbury (in both directions)
• London Underground via any reasonable route (for travel between London Paddington and London Waterloo)

South Western Railway have requested road transport to operate between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids and local bus ticket acceptance. Once this is in place we will update further.

Passengers are able to arrange their own taxis between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids in order to complete their journey and claim this back from the Customer Services Team. In order to claim a refund, you will need:

• Full contact details

• The time and date of your journey

• The stations you travelled to and from

• A description of the series of events that took place

• Copies of your train tickets and taxi receipt

Please email these details to customerrelations@swrailway.com or write to: Freepost SWR CUSTOMER RELATIONS.

For further information or onward travel advice please speak to a member of staff or use a station help point.

Further Information:

An axle counter is part of the signalling system. There are at least two axle counters per signalling section; one to count the number of axles on a train entering a signalling section and one to count the number of axles leaving a signalling section. If these two totals match, the section becomes clear for the next train. However, if the totals do not match or if there is another issue, the section of track remains occupied, holding the protecting signal at red. When there is a failure trains will stop before the affected signal and will have to be verbally directed through the affected area by the signaller. When being talked through the section by the signaller trains will run at a reduced speed. The process of trains being verbally directed through affected signals can add an additional 10 minutes per signal to the journey time.

If you would prefer to use local buses to continue your journey please check Traveline - South Western Railway tickets are not valid on local buses unless stated above.

Check before you travel:

You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time Journey Planner.

Compensation:

You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.