Rail passengers in Devon and Cornwall face continued disruption due to flooding
Three branch lines in the region will remain closed until further notice
Last updated 3rd Feb 2026
Several branch lines across Devon and Cornwall will remain closed until further notice after flooding caused by last week’s storm's.
Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) confirmed today (February 3rd) that three branch lines in the region will remain closed until safety inspections can be completed.
Earlier this week, engineers repaired visible damage to the track on stretches of the Barnstaple and Okehampton lines.
Network Rail say specialist dive teams now need to inspect submerged structures along the routes – including bridges and viaducts - but high water levels and fast currents mean divers cannot safely carry out inspections yet.
The affected lines include:
- Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple
- Exeter St Davids to Okehampton
- Liskeard to Looe
A limited rail replacement bus service is in operation between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton, calling at Exeter St Davids and Okehampton only. There is also a limited hourly return coach service between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple. Ticket acceptance is in place on some local bus services.
Bus replacement services are operating between Liskeard and Looe.
Daryn McCombe, director of performance and train service delivery for GWR and director of network operations at Network Rail’s Western route, said: “We’re really sorry for the continued disruption on these lines following Storm Chandra last week.
"GWR and Network Rail teams have been working tirelessly to safely keep customers moving wherever possible. We've been able to fix the problems we can see, but it's really important to make sure that underwater structures remain sound and it's not safe for divers to enter the water yet.
"We're working with our weather forecasting teams and monitoring the river levels so that the divers can enter the water as soon as conditions allow. Please continue to check gwr.com for the latest updates.”