Buses will replace trains on a popular railway line next week.

There will be no train services on the Tarka and Dartmoor lines, linking Exeter with Barnstaple and Okehampton due to railway engineering works.

The two lines will be closed from Monday, February 20 until Friday, February 24 to enable Network Rail to carry out vital improvement works in the Crediton area, which serves as a junction between the two railway lines.

GWR is advising passengers that are planning to travel on the rail replacement bus transport between Exeter St Davids and Barnstaple to allow extra time as double-decker buses are not able to operate due to a road diversion, limiting capacity on that route.

All details on the impact on individual journeys can be found on the GWR website at www.gwr.com/check

Mark Chorley, GWR Regional Station Manager, West, said: “This work is important to ensure we can continue to maintain and improve resilience and we thank customers for their patience in advance.

“We have been working hard to provide as many replacement buses as we can, but we ask our customers to plan carefully and travel at quieter times to avoid peak-time services which are likely to be very busy.”

Trains will continue to run on all other routes from Exeter St Davids, including Exmouth, although a reduced service will run between Exeter St Davids and Exeter Central.

GWR is asking those intending to travel during this period to plan ahead and check journey times before travelling.

Dan Parkes, Network Rail Senior Programme Manager, Capital Delivery, said: “I’d like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding next week while we complete vital maintenance to support the continued safe and reliable running of the railway.

“This is an important and highly popular stretch of railway and our work to replace some of the track in the Crediton area will ensure passengers continue to enjoy smooth journeys between Exeter, Barnstaple and Okehampton.”

More details on the engineering works can be found at www.gwr.com/upgrade