TRAIN travel through Teignbridge and the rest of Devon has also taken a hit with rail companies cutting their services in response coronavirus-induced restrictions across all elements of public life.

Great Western Railway will be operating a new timetable from Monday (March 23) in accordance with national advice against non-essential travel ’while maintaining services critical to keeping key workers moving during the current situation.’

GWR Interim managing director Matthew Golton, said: ’The railway is a critical part of the UK’s infrastructure and, even though many people are remaining at home due to the latest Government advice, we will be relied upon to continue to help key workers in other sectors get to work so they can provide services critical to the day-to-day running of the country.

’Our responsibility is to run a service that can be relied upon at this time. We are taking sensible measures to make sure we are able to do so.’

Full details of the timetable will appear on industry websites shortly. People can check journey details at https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/check-your-journey.

Services between London Paddington and Plymouth, which include stops at Newton Abbot, will continue to operate every hour, and customers will be able to connect for services to and from Cornwall.

Services on regional lines and branch lines will operate to a revised timetable.

Despite the reduction in services, GWR reassured travellers that demand remains low, and customers are able to distance themselves from others.