Signalling problems on the South Western Railway network are causing delays.

Following a signalling problem between Honiton and Axminster on the Exeter St Davids to London Waterloo route, the line has now reopened.

Trains are now able to run normally between these stations but delays and cancellations to services will still occur whilst the rail firm returns the service to normal.

Disruption is expected to continue until 1pm today (Thursday, November 16).

According to travel monitoring site INRIX, ‘there are delays of up to 30 minutes and some cancellations on South Western Railway between Yeovil Junction and Exeter St Davids due to earlier signalling problems at Axminster.’

Disruption was causing issues in north Dorset at Sherborne and Gillingham stations and may continue to do so.

The 6.40am train between Exeter St Davids and Basingstoke was cancelled following the signalling problem.

A spokesperson for South Western Railway said: “We were informed that there was a signalling problem between Honiton and Axminster.

“Trains are now able to run normally between these stations but delays and cancellations to services will still occur whilst we return the service to normal.

“A track circuit is one system used by signallers to identify where trains are on the tracks. When these fail, trains have to stop at each affected signal and verify that the track beyond the signal is clear.

“Once they have authority from the signaller to continue, they must do so at caution until they have traversed that signalling section. This process takes up to 10 minutes per affected signal.”