A SECTION of railway between Somerset and Wiltshire will be closed for maintenance work from tomorrow, causing a restricted train service through Gillingham.

From June 13 to 21, Network Rail will be undertaking remedial work in the Templecombe area - securing a railway embankment, removing two speed restrictions and dealing with damages caused by a landslip at the end of last year.

This essential work however will mean no South Western Railway (SWR) services will run between Yeovil Junction and Gillingham, and there will be no direct trains from London Waterloo to Exeter.

Trains between Exeter St Davids and Salisbury will be diverted via Westbury, and there is a bus replacement service between Salisbury and Gillingham

Mark Killick, Network Rail Wessex route director, said: “I want to apologise for the disruption this will cause to passengers who do need to travel.

“When the work is complete, two speed restrictions will be removed to provide improved journeys for passengers, as well as protecting the area from landslips in the future.

"I would urge people who do need to travel by rail, such as those who can’t work from home, to plan ahead and check before they travel.”

Alan Penlington, SWR customer experience director, said the maintenance will “improve performance”, added: “We recognise these works will be disruptive, but it is vital they go ahead.”

For more information and the amended timetable visit the SWR website.