Train operator to introduce new autumn timetable

South Western Railway said that the timetable will start on 22 September and run until 14 December

A train company is preparing to introduce its autumn timetable to combat the threat of leaves on the lines.

South Western Railway (SWR) said that the timetable will start on 22 September and run until 14 December.

Network Rail said that in areas with very heavy leaf-fall train journeys will take longer to allow extra time for train drivers to drive more cautiously.

It explained that when wet leaves fall on the rails they are crushed to a slippery pulp so trains need more time to safely accelerate and brake.

Network Rail said leaves can also cause delays by forming a barrier between the train wheels and the electrical parts of the track that help to tell exactly where trains are.

This means that trains have to be held at red signals so a safe distance between services can be maintained.

SWR said that the variance of services that have changed is between one and five minutes.

The routes affected are:

• Aldershot-London Waterloo via Camberley

• Alton-London Waterloo

• Basingstoke-London Waterloo (stopping services)

• Dorking-London Waterloo

• Exeter St Davids/Salisbury-London Waterloo

• Farnham-London Waterloo

• Guildford-London Waterloo via Bookham and via Cobham & Stoke D’Abernon

• Portsmouth Harbour-London Waterloo via Guildford

• Southampton-Portsmouth via Netley

• Shepperton-London Waterloo

• Weymouth/Poole/Bournemouth-London Waterloo

• Windsor & Eton Riverside-London Waterloo

Journey planners are up to date with all the changes.

A new timetable across the railway industry will start on 15 December.