Okehampton rail link hit as flooding forces days-long closure on Dartmoor line

Train services between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton remain suspended due to flooding caused by Storm Chandra, with disruption expected to continue until the end of Saturday, 7 February.

Great Western Railway (GWR) said the line was closed after floodwater built up between Exeter St Davids and Crediton following heavy rainfall on already saturated ground. 

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The water has not yet receded and surrounding land remains under water, and, as a result, no trains are running between Exeter and Okehampton. 

A limited hourly replacement coach service is operating between Exeter St Davids and Okehampton, although capacity is limited and passengers are advised to check journey planners before travelling.

GWR has also confirmed that rail tickets are being accepted at no extra cost on several local bus routes, including Stagecoach services linking Exeter, Crediton, Copplestone, Sticklepath and Okehampton.

A GWR spokesperson said flooding following Storm Chandra had made it unsafe for trains to run and that the route is “likely to remain closed until Saturday while conditions improve”.

Passengers travelling to or from Okehampton are being advised to consider delaying non-essential journeys until services return to normal.

There is also disruption affecting rail services between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple, where all lines are closed for the same reason. 

A limited coach service is operating on that route, with bus ticket acceptance in place on selected Stagecoach services.

GWR said staff are available to assist passengers at stations and online, and anyone delayed by 15 minutes or more may be eligible for compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.

Up-to-date travel information is available via National Rail and GWR customer service channels.