Trains have resumed running on the West of England Line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction following the completion of essential upgrades by Network Rail in the Gillingham area.

Engineers worked around the clock to stabilise the cuttings – the steep banks on either side of the railway – near Gillingham Tunnel. They used soil nails, which are drilled into the banks, to prevent landslips that have previously disrupted services. The stabilisation work is a crucial step in ensuring the long-term reliability of this part of the line.

While the line was closed for these upgrades, engineers also completed several other maintenance tasks to improve the overall performance of the West of England Line. This included:

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• Enhancing drainage systems in the Gillingham area to reduce the risk of flooding on the tracks.

• Repairing rail defects and replacing ballast (the stones that support the track) at level crossings in the Sherborne area.

• Carrying out general maintenance between Gillingham and Yeovil Junction, including inspecting railway equipment, repairing fences, and removing overgrown or diseased trees and hedges along the railway.

The work is part of a broader investment programme aimed at improving the West of England Line, which forms a vital part of the South Western Railway (SWR) services between London Waterloo and Exeter. Over the past three years, Network Rail has completed a range of reliability upgrades along the route, including track improvements through Honiton Tunnel and work on level crossings at Tisbury, Templecombe, Feniton, Axminster and Crewkerne. Other major enhancements have involved strengthening cuttings in Honiton and replacing track near Tisbury, Sherborne, Axminster, and Pinhoe.