Gunnislake trains cancelled for two weeks as bridge repaired
Trains to Gunnislake will face disruption for the next two weeks while urgent emergency repair work is carried out on a bridge. Part of the Gunnislake line - which runs between Plymouth and the Cornish village - will be partially closed between Calstock and Gunnislake from today (Friday, September 13).
Network Rail engineers found a structural defect and track issue on a bridge between the two Cornish villages. As a result, that section of track will be closed, with services suspended, for the next two weeks. Replacement bus and taxis have run between Gunnislake and Plymouth today, and more replacement service will be established over the coming days.
From Monday, September 16, replacement buses are set to operate between Calstock and Gunnislake. However, trains will run between Plymouth and Calstock, and the Devonport, Dockyard, and Keyham stations will continue to be served by trains running between Plymouth and Penzance.
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Network Rail’s director for Devon and Cornwall, Chris Fuoco, said: “We’re sorry for the disruption to journeys as a result of the emergency repair work taking place between Calstock and Gunnislake. We will continue to work with our train operator colleagues to keep people moving; passengers are advised to check before they travel as journeys between Calstock and Gunnislake will be made via rail replacement buses.
“We are estimating currently that our work may take two weeks to complete, yet we will endeavour to improve on this in any way we can to restore a reliable service to our customers. I’d like to thank passengers for their patience while we carry out these vital repairs.”
GWR Station Manager for Plymouth and East Cornwall, Lee Goodson, added: “We are really sorry for the disruption this work will cause and would like to thank our customers in advance for their patience while Network Rail repairs this vital bridge.
“We’re working to put alternative transport in place over the weekend, but these are likely to be extremely busy and journeys may take longer. Customers should check before they travel.
"From Monday, trains will run between Plymouth and Calstock, with rail replacement buses in operation between Calstock and Gunnislake. These will run as per the normal train timetable.”