West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025

Dear Stakeholders, 

West of England Line - Soil Moisture Deficit Update - 10 October 2025 

We are writing to provide an update on the amended timetable currently in place on the West of England Line. This was introduced on Monday 11 August, following the introduction of multiple speed restrictions across this section of the network caused by Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD).

Whilst we believe we are now moving beyond the driest conditions along the line and are beginning to see more regular rainfall, SMD levels have reached historic highs this year and remain severe. The two graphs below illustrate SMD and rainfall levels for 2025, 2022 (previous highest on record ), and the 17-year average for both measures. The bold red lines represent 2025 data — clearly showing that SMD levels are at their highest this year, while cumulative rainfall along the route remains at one of its lowest.

Graph 1: Soil Moisture Deficit levels for a typical section of the West of England line

Graph 2: Cumulative rainfall levels for a typical section of the West of England line*

* MORECS grid squares are 40 x 40 km areas over Great Britain and Northern Ireland used by the Meteorological Office Rainfall and Evaporation Calculation System (MORECS) to estimate monthly soil moisture deficit (SMD) and potential evaporation. These grid squares provide a spatial framework for hydrological monitoring and climate change adaptation planning, mapping how much water is available in the soil.

Until we observe a significant further reduction in the Soil Moisture Deficit (SMD) readings, the underlying clay will not have stabilised sufficiently to support consistent track geometry under sustained train movements at line speed.

Although recent weeks have brought increased rainfall, current ground conditions remain unsuitable for a return to the standard timetable. Once the SMD levels drop to the required thresholds, our engineering teams will be able to carry out the necessary works such as tamping, to restore proper track geometry and safely reintroduce the normal service.

We are not however simply waiting for the weather; extensive work on the track has continued since August and activities such as tamping (restoring line and level of track) are showing positive results. We hope therefore to be able to lift one of the four speed restrictions currently in place (between Gillingham and Templecombe) within the next week.

This marks an important step towards improving journey times for passengers, but on its own is not sufficient to enable a change to the current temporary timetable. Further speed restrictions remain in place; one east of Yeovil, two west of Yeovil and one between Axminster and Honiton.

All speed restrictions on the line will need to be lifted before the full timetable can be reinstated. This is due to the extensive sections of single line track and the knock-on impacts to train and crew diagrams caused by the slower running of services.

We will continue to provide updates to stakeholders. Thank you again for your patience and co-operation. We apologise for the continued disruption. 

Kind regards

South Western Railway and Network Rail 

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