• UPDATE: 2pm - National Rail says that the car which was driven onto the railway line has now been removed.  It said in a statement: “Following a road vehicle blocking the railway line between Exeter St David’s and Barnstaple/Okehampton, trains are able to run normally between these stations.”

A BMW CAR driven onto the railway line between Crediton and Salmon Pool Railway Crossing at Salmonhutch has stopped all trains running to and from Exeter to Okehampton and also to and from Barnstaple.

The car was apparently abandoned on the tracks between Crediton and Salmonhutch during the early hours of today, Monday, October 21.

Police are at the scene at Salmonhutch Railway Crossing. AQ 5924
Police are at the scene at Salmonhutch Railway Crossing. AQ 5924 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

National Rail and Police are in attendance as well as a recovery vehicle.

The car is some distance from the Salmon Pool Railway Crossing at Salmonhutch which is likely to make it difficult for recovery.

The Salmon Pool Crossing is closed to motorists and there are traffic queues forming.

National Rail is advising that railway tickets to use the line can be used on the following Stagecoach Bus routes:

• 5 - Exeter Central - Crediton

• 5A - Exeter Bus Station - Okehampton

• 5B - Exeter Bus Station - Barnstaple

• 5C - Exeter Bus Station - Lapford

6A - Exeter St David’s - Okehampton.

The Help Point notice at Crediton Station with details of the rail line closure. AQ 5918
The Help Point notice at Crediton Station with details of the rail line closure. AQ 5918 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Last week the vehicle crossing at Crediton Railway Station became stuck on two days causing much disruption.

Further updates as we have them.