Storm Chandra leaves North Devon passengers stranded as Tarka Line stays closed

Rail users heading for Devon’s county city Exeter face extended disruption after Great Western Railway (GWR) confirmed the Tarka Line will remain closed until at least 16 February following flooding caused by Storm Chandra.

The line between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple was shut more than two weeks ago after heavy rain and rising water levels left track ballast washed away and sections of the route submerged, leaving passengers without a rail link to Exeter. 

Train services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple have been suspended with limited alternatives available.

Storm Chandra, named by the Met Office, brought strong winds and prolonged heavy rainfall to much of the UK in late January. 

South‑west England was placed under weather warnings as rivers quickly rose on already saturated ground. 

Floodwaters washed onto roads and railways, prompting cancellations and closures across transport networks and affecting homes and communities.

Network Rail and GWR engineers have been working around the clock to repair the damage along the Tarka Line, particularly between Exeter and Crediton, where floodwater removed the stone ballast that supports the track. 

Work includes rebuilding washed‑out sections, but specialist inspections of bridges and viaducts cannot proceed until water levels fall sufficiently for divers and safety teams to operate.

Passengers have been advised to check before travelling and plan for significantly longer journey times. 

The prolonged closure follows a period of unsettled weather across the region, with further heavy rain forecasts repeatedly raising river levels and slowing recovery efforts. 

Residents and travellers are being urged to stay updated with GWR and National Rail information for the latest on services