Network Rail will make improvements to the Tarka line between Barnstaple and Exeter this month.

The company confirmed that passenger services will be affected between March 10th and 13th and from March 23rd until the 24th.

Leaders at the firm said the organisation was keen to make the upgrades before the busy Easter period at the end of the month.

Train operator First Great Western will operate services between Exeter and Crediton during the first phase of the engineering works, with replacement buses being provided for those heading further north.

Buses will replace trains between Barnstaple and Exeter during the second stage of the project.

"We would like to thank passengers for their patience while we complete these essential improvement works to make the Tarka line safer, smoother and more reliable," commented Network Rail customer service manager Tim Maddocks.

This is just one tiny part of a major nationwide overhaul of the rail network and Network Rail will spend more than £37 billion on improvements by the end of the decade.