Richard Green

South Western Railway and Network Rail Wessex will continue a reduced two-hourly service between Exeter St Davids and London Waterloo, alongside speed restrictions, until significant rainfall improves track conditions. The dry weather has caused a soil moisture deficit and affected track stability. The Salisbury to Exeter Rail User Group says the morning service is unacceptable for commuters and schoolchildren, while managing director Lawrence Bowman says engineers have removed trees at 17 sites, laid 5,000 tonnes of ballast and are working to restore the full timetable as soon as possible.

Exeter City Council is providing £163,000 for extensive roof repairs at St Nicholas Priory, the city’s oldest building, which dates to 1087. The work is intended to prevent further damage to its historic interior and protect the priory for decades. The Exeter Historic Buildings Trust, which operates the site as a community venue, welcomed the investment, while the council noted that budget pressures limit the amount of conservation work it can commission each year.